MANHATTAN — The beef cattle market has begun 2011 in a strong position with high prices for beef. Yet, several unknowns involving cattle production could affect ranchers and stock growers’ profitability in the months ahead, according to Glynn Tonsor, K-State livestock economist. By all appearances, feed grain prices are going to remain high this year, meaning that the cost of feeding cattle will remain hefty, he said. And the volatility of grain markets will be something to watch closely, he said. Another key unknown is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s effort to write rules to deal with the increasing concentration in the beef industry…the so-called GIPSA rule. Tonsor says that proposal remains up in the air and is another source of a great deal of uncertainty.
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 7:30 a.m.
