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NCBA president points to inflation as biggest challenge

The president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association anticipates unprecedented volatility in 2023. 

Don Schiefelbein, who farms in central Minnesota, tells Brownfield producers are about to enter “the greatest of times” for beef cattle prices.

“Finally these cow-calf guys are going to get their share of the market dollar of beef, right. The problem is they are taking their fair share and they’re paying it in diesel prices and increased equipment costs, and all these inflationary things.”

He says inflation will take a big chunk out of the bottom line and NCBA is doing what it can to help.

“A good example was our pressure to make sure the rail strike didn’t come to fruition. We’ve got to keep the pressure on everywhere we can to make sure if there’s an inflationary problem or a disruption in the supply chain, we’re at least taking that on (by having a seat at) the table.”

Schiefelbein says inflation is impacting cattle producers more than any other issue.

Brownfield interviewed him during last week’s Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention in Willmar.