The novel coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the cattle market has been dramatic already. But that’s not the only threat to ranchers’ livelihood, according to Scott Williamson.

The cattle and beef industry, along with the rest of the U.S. and global economy, is in uncharted waters with the coronavirus pandemic. There are many unknowns about the timing, severity and aftermath of the disease.

Beef exports posted more modest growth in January, increasing 2.5% from a year ago in volume (107,374 metric tons [MT]) and 5% in value ($672.7 million). But beef muscle cut exports were the highest ever for the month of January at 81,342 MT, up 4% from a year ago, while muscle cut value increased 5% to $589.2 million.

When it's time to buy a bull, ranchers prefer a one-on-one approach, according to a recent Progressive Cattle online poll.

Wholesale beef prices typically increase seasonally from February into March but have showed only scant improvement from the February low three weeks ago.

According to a recent Progressive Cattle online poll, when you decide take on additional help on the ranch, you had better be prepared to fire as well has hire them. 

The 2019 fourth-quarter beef production forecast was adjusted higher by 15 million pounds from the previous month to 7 billion pounds, which raised the forecast for annual production to 27.2 billion pounds. The increase was based on a faster-than-expected pace of non-fed cattle slaughter in December, in particular beef cow slaughter.