On Tuesdays, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays visits with Ben Hale of Western Livestock Auctions as he talks about the latest in the markets and more. Established in 1995, Western has grown into a multi-generational family-owned and operated business and stands as a symbol of tradition, excellence, and a deep-rooted passion for the …
Tag: beef
Jun 02
Economists Warn Uncertainty Still Looms Over Cattle Markets
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays continues to feature comments from a trio of cattle market economists — Dr. Derrell Peel, Don Close, and Nevil Speer — about packer margins, beef demand, and the biggest risks facing cattle producers during a recent panel discussion at the U.S. Meat Export Federation …
Jun 01
How High Is Too High for Today’s Beef Consumer?
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from three leading beef economists — Dr. Derrell Peel, Don Close, and Nevil Speer — about one of the biggest questions facing the cattle business today: at what point, if any, will consumers back away from beef prices that continue climbing higher? …
May 29
How Consumer Demand and Quality Helped Drive Beef’s Remarkable Turnaround
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from livestock industry consultant Dr. Nevil Speer, who spoke during the spring conference of the US Meat Export Federation in Oklahoma City about how the beef business transformed itself from years of stagnation into one of agriculture’s strongest consumer-driven success stories. From …
May 28
Don Close Says Drought High Cost of Money Still Delaying U.S. Beef Herd Rebuild
In today’s beef buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from Don Close of Terrain, who says despite growing discussion about rebuilding the U.S. beef cow herd, producers still face significant financial and weather-related risks before widespread heifer retention becomes reality. The U.S. beef cow herd currently stands at 27.6 million head, …
May 27
Dan Halstrom: Global Demand for U.S. Beef Remains Strong Despite China Slowdown
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from Dan Halstrom, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, who says global demand for U.S. beef remains remarkably strong despite challenges in one key market. Demand Holds Strong Even as China Weighs on Numbers Speaking during the spring conference …
May 26
Market Experts Consider Mexican Cattle Imports and Border Impacts on US Cattle Supply
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from a panel of leading cattle market analysts brought together at the spring meeting of the U.S. Meat Export Federation in Oklahoma City to discuss one of the cattle industry’s biggest questions: What new world screwworm concerns and the closure of the …
May 23
USDA Cattle on Feed Report Shows Unexpected 2% Rise in Inventory, First Increase in 18 Months
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its May 1 Cattle on Feed report on Friday afternoon, revealing a surprise uptick in feedlot inventories. The data marks a shift in recent market directions, marking the first year-over-year inventory increase the industry has seen in 18 months. In the latest Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch …
May 22
US Beef Exports to China Show Hope as Market Access Nears Return
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation who spoke at the spring conference, about renewed optimism surrounding U.S. beef access to China after American cattle producers have been effectively shut out of the market since early 2025. …
May 22
Central American Agricultural Markets: Ensuring Stable U.S. Meat Exports Through Trade Certainty
The United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference in Oklahoma City highlighted the rapid growth and underlying political realities of the Central American market for American beef and pork. As global demand rises, agricultural experts and foreign policy professionals are analyzing how deep-rooted trade agreements like the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement …


























