In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments with Colin Woodall, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, who was in Oklahoma City delivering a federal update during the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Winter Policy Conference. Woodall discussed a wide range of issues with Farm Director KC Sheperd, including beef prices, animal health preparedness, regulatory relief, and the political landscape heading into the midterm elections.
After the infamous social media comments by President Trump last October, Woodall explained that a meeting after the cattle markets had crashed with President Trump and other cattle industry leaders provided an opportunity to clarify how beef markets function. “It was a great opportunity to make sure he understands how beef prices work, how the cattle markets work,” Woodall said, emphasizing that today’s higher prices reflect long-overdue returns for producers. He added, “We as beef producers feel that we’re finally getting paid for the quality of the product that we’re producing.”
According to Woodall, consumer choice is a key reason beef continues to perform well in the marketplace. “They don’t have to buy beef, but they want to buy beef,” Woodall adds. They want to buy beef because of the taste, because of the flavor, because of the consistency, and because they know that they are getting a high-quality product.” He contrasted beef with other commodities, explaining, “When you need an egg, you have to have an egg,” but beef purchases are driven by preference, reinforcing that current prices reflect “a true open market dynamic.”
Animal health was also part of the discussion, particularly preparations for the possible return of New World screwworm. Woodall said the industry is ready, even while acknowledging the challenge ahead. “We are prepared,” he stated, crediting USDA, state animal health officials, and industry partners. While he cautioned that the pest would be disruptive, Woodall was confident, saying, “We will eradicate New World screwworm again once it comes back into the United States—we have the tools to do that.”
Woodall also praised recent regulatory shifts at EPA, saying Administrator Lee Zeldin has been “a great partner” for agriculture by addressing diesel emissions rules and providing a workable Waters of the United States definition. Looking ahead to the midterm elections, Woodall said control of Congress will play a major role in advancing the President’s agenda, noting that in today’s political climate, “all it takes is one two-second sound bite to either make a campaign or break a campaign.”
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
