COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, impacts beef producers in various ways, states Matt Deppe, chief executive officer at the Iowa Cattlemen?s Association (ICA). Effects range from limiting group exposure to keeping commerce channels open.
Producers suffered great financial losses, as live cattle future prices fell drastically. Estimates put damages at seven- to 11-billion-dollars, which is why the Iowa Cattlemen?s Association is calling on Congress for indemnity, or emergency disaster funding.
Specifically, the organization is requesting stimulus solutions to protect the long-term viability of its family-run operations, which support the local, state, and national economies, as outlined by Iowa Cattlemen?s Association president Richard Godfrey.
ICA staff will continue to monitor the situation, with hopes of achieving continuity of business.
?Live cattle, they travel everywhere. Certainly our live auction markets, (and) keeping them open under the exemptions provided to agriculture through Homeland Security,? Deppe said. ?It?s valid and important not just for people to market cattle, but the market signals that come from those auction barns to things like the feeder calf index on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.?
Deppe encourages producers to work forward in the thought, ?How do we narrow this up??
?Head strongly the Governor?s recommendations that come from the CDC in terms of limiting social engagement, in terms of certain numbers and distance between people. That sounds simple, but it?s relevant,? Deppe said. ?Think about the cattle world. When you co-mingle different groups of calves, generally speaking, you have sickness that will explode.?
Deppe also encourages producers to reach out to acquaintances, friends, and loved ones for support during this difficult time.
