January 4, 2021 | Vol. 13 : No. 12
The speed of the economic recovery will largely hinge on the availability, dissemination and reach of COVID-19 vaccines, pushing the expected burst of pent-up consumer demand into the latter half of 2021, according to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange division.
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 16 points to a reading of 167 in November, down from its all-time high set just one month ago. The decrease in sentiment was led by farmers’ more pessimistic view toward the future of the agricultural economy, with the Index of Future Expectations falling 30 points to a reading of 156 in November. The ongoing rally in commodity prices and Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 payments continued to support producers’ view of current economic conditions, as the Index of Current Conditions rose nine points in November to 187, an all-time high for the index.
The nation’s largest union for meatpacking workers and the association representing meat producers joined forces to urge all 50 U.S. governors to urgently prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for frontline meat and poultry workers across the United States, in accordance with official Centers for Disease Control guidance.
This year certainly has not been easy, especially when it comes to making important decisions that affect your farm or ranch. Kevin Ochsner, owner of Agcellerate Consulting Co. and host of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association television program, Cattlemen to Cattlemen, assured American Angus Association members at the 137th Angus Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Mo., that there is power behind the decisions that drive our future.
I suspect most of you don’t really like being the center of attention. You like managing your cow herd without a lot of fanfare. You enjoy the peaceful time horseback or sitting in your truck or ATV.
Like it or not, you were top of mind for the American Angus Association as we developed our long-range objectives for the next few years. Many of the objectives, along with their supporting strategies, focus on the commercial producer — and rightly so. You raise the beef our consumers enjoy. What matters to you should matter to us. Your priorities should be ours. When you win, so does the beef industry.
A unique partnership on the Texas A&M University campus is “beefing up” protein offerings at the campus food bank to ensure no student, staff or faculty member has to study or work on an empty stomach.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are facing financial difficulty and finding themselves among the more than 40 million people nationwide who are considered food insecure.
The Texas A&M Department of Animal Science, Cactus Cares and The 12th Can Food Pantry are teaming up to assist the food insecure on campus by providing something few food banks across the United States can offer — frozen beef.
In a year that has tested the resolve and determination of everyone in the cattle industry, we want to take a moment to soak in the inborn peace that comes with celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. We are so thankful for you, our readers. We wish you peace, good calf prices and favorable weather patterns in 2021.
