Exports are the lifeblood of the U.S. beef industry, even more so than in Canada if one excludes its exports south. U.S. exports added more than US $476 to the value of each fed steer or heifer in the first seven months of this year. From virtually no beef export sales in the 1970s, the […] Read more
Beef exports add huge value
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Worker shortage looms
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Labour and cattle are the two biggest challenges that beef processors face in running a profitable business year in, year out. COVID-19’s onset revealed how any sizeable workforce disruption can wreak havoc with running a beef plant efficiently. All major beef-producing countries faced labour shortages during the pandemic. Staffing levels have returned to close to […] Read more
No relief in sight for drought-stricken U.S. cattle producers
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Drought continues to afflict the U.S. cattle/beef industry. Since I last wrote about its consequences in my May column, conditions have only gotten worse in many parts of the country and there is no relief in sight. These conditions continue to force cattle into feedlots and cow-calf producers to keep reducing their beef cow numbers […] Read more
Spain is a meat paradise
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
When one thinks about Spanish cuisine, one of the first things that come to mind is the remarkable array of fish and seafood that you see on every restaurant menu and in every food market. As you know, seafood paella is Spain’s great dish to the world. But Spain also produces remarkable meat products, notably […] Read more
Chicken lords over beef with consumers
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Beef is still king of the meat case in U.S. grocery stores. But chicken wins hands down in per capita consumption and has done so for years. Beef is regarded as the meat treat and chicken the survival food for protein. Now that food inflation stalks grocery store aisles and talk is increasing about the […] Read more
Throw a burger on the grill
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Wander around any suburban neighbourhood in Canada or the U.S. this month and you will get a whiff of North Americans’ favourite pastime. The month is the start of the annual grilling season and many millions of people will be barbecuing everything from beef steaks to ground beef patties. And yes, there will be plenty […] Read more
Drought remains a huge factor for ranchers
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Drought in many parts of the country, as well as higher operating costs for ranchers, took a bigger than expected bite out of the U.S. cattle herd in 2021. Both factors will continue to play a key role in the fortunes of the U.S. industry. Herd numbers declined by 1.89 million head in 2021 and […] Read more
U.S. produces highest-quality beef
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
It has taken several decades to reach this point but the U.S. beef industry is now producing the highest-quality beef in its history. This comes from improved genetics in the beef cow herd, innovations and advances in all aspects of cattle feeding, encouragement of packer premiums through grid pricing and growing consumer demand for higher-quality […] Read more
Cattle prices will see big rise
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
At time of writing, this year is only two months old and already 2022 is shaping up to be a much better year for North American cattle producers. Forecasts are for higher prices for all classes of cattle in Canada and the U.S., especially as the cattle/beef sectors in both countries shake off the impact […] Read more
Beef industry faces packer fallacies
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Misinformation and even disinformation are not new to the U.S. beef industry. It’s fascinating, though, how the onset and impact of the coronavirus pandemic amplified the claims of critics of the industry, especially those of the beef processing sector. Most critics claim the “Big Four” packers control more than 80 per cent of the U.S. […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
