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Drought concerns remain top of mind for Missouri cattle producers

The market news manager for Missouri’s Department of Agriculture says moisture continues to be one of the top concerns for the state’s cattle producers.

Tony Hancock says producers remain optimistic. “Are we going to get some winter moisture to maybe turn things around here, especially in Missouri, after the year we’ve had,” he says.  “Some snow for some winter moisture would sure be nice.”

He tells Brownfield the volatility in the futures markets is also a concern. “Some of this volatility that we’ve seen,” he says.  “Maybe it straightens out a little bit or is it going to be the case that this the new normal and everybody’s just going to get used to it.”

Hancock says improvements in grass conditions are needed for producers in the state to even consider any herd expansion. “We’ve sold more this year than we did last year,” he says.  “But we have to remember as well, the southern half of the state last year, we’re talking 2022, they sold a lot of cows.  So we’ve been on nearly a 2-year liquidation cycle in the state of Missouri.”

Thursday’s Livestock Slaughter report from the USDA will also look at beef cow slaughter, which provides insight into how much liquidation is still happening in the U.S.