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Michigan Cattlemen’s Association covers policy & industry concerns   

Drought or not, the cost of feed is troubling beef producers. 

Michigan Cattlemen’s Association President Dave Girton tells Brownfield feeding cattle with $7 corn is putting on a squeeze.

“In just the matter of a year to year and a half’s time, we’ve doubled—so in my end of it as a farmer/feeder balancing that cost of feed with what I paid for the feeder cattle and making those margins work is by the biggest challenge,” he shares.

The seventh-generation producer says moisture levels on his southern Michigan farm thankfully have been adequate.  Supply chain shortages, however, still persist for parts and even bale wrap, and most frustrating Girton says has been delays in processing.

“I booked an appointment for next April in January and that was the quickest I could get in,” he says.

Beef processing concerns along with new state permitting regulations, food safety policy, and Bovine Tuberculosis mitigation were priority areas as part of their annual policy process Friday.

Brownfield interviewed Girton during Michigan Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting and Michigan Beef Expo.