Beef Economist Predicts
(Continued from Page At)
more herd expansion is occurring
in many markets.
* ‘Exports are going to be huge in
1990 because the Soviets are buy
ing more beef and chicken,” he
said. “That market is now open. I
suppose, with all our surplus
chicken, we can ship some of it
over there.”
Changes occurring
Moore emphasized the changes
occurring in other countries, the
low inflation index, increased con-
sumer spending, and other factors
contributing to a better year for
beef producers in 1990.
“But I’m concerned about cer
tain events, such as the Central
Soya and Mitsubishi pork packing
plant under construction in Illi
nois," he said. “I know you knew
how much Mitsubishi was into,
pork production.”
Less than 1,000 head of beef
cattle are in 70 percent of the
plants, and more than 500,000
head are in 1.5 percent of the
plants.
Many slaughter houses have
been adjusting to this “economy
of scale” to get consumers what
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‘Big 3’
“ The ‘big 3’ slaughterhouse
companies kill 75 to 80 percent of
State extension economist,
gives his “fearless fore
cast” at Cattle Feeders Day
in Lancaster.
*g>—
panel composed of representatives of the meat packers Industry. Seated, left to right,
are Vernon Trueth, J. W. Trueth & Sons, Inc.; Mike Silverburg, Moyer Packing Co.; Tom
Taylor, Taylor Packing Co., Inc.; and Taylor Packing Company consultant Jerry
Simmons.
all cattle, and that is alarming for
most farmers,” said Dr. Bill Hen
ning, Penn State extension red
meat specialist.
Excel, IBP, and Conagra now
hold a tighter reign on the beef bus
iness. IBP is ‘‘stronger than ever,”
Henning said.
‘ ‘Where I was raised —in War
ren County, Illinois used to be
the prime beef cattle market for the
U. 5.,” he said. “But not anymore.
The cattle industry moved to the
high plains, where most of the beef
was raised, and because the cattle
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Lancaster Fi
were out there, the slaughter indus
try moved there.”
There were a lot of other factors
in the industry move, also. Hen
ning indicated that “smells were
not acceptable to the population in
the city. People moved out to live
in the country, but were not pre
pared for rural life. Farming agri
culture had to modify ways to
operate. The resulting lawsuits
closed down many businesses.”
Changes in industry
Some of the major changes in
Saturday, Fabru
Dr. John Comerford,
Penn State extension beef
specialist, says farmers
should make calf diets more
“energy-dense” If they are
striving for choice grade.
Lancaster County veal far
mer, says the first 4 to 12
hours of a calf's life are “cru
cial” to their survival. Hess
blames high mortality rates
on breeder “partying” and
consequent neglect over
the holiday season.
the beef industry are the big
decline in the number of dairy
farms, the increase in the number
of large swine, the fewer number
of cattle on feed, the fewer amount
of food processors, and major
changes in consumer tendencies.
“The ‘quick-n-easy’ small
portion markets have increased by
40 percent,” he said. “The easy
meals, already packaged, show we
have a changing society.”
The industry is trying to change
the attitude that “beef is expen
sive.” Public opinion is beginning
to create a positive outlook for beef
producers, despite existing prob
lems for packers.
One of the problems packers
have is tring to get loyal workers.
In addition, wages are always an
issue in the meat packer industry.
“Ten times more people prefer
white-collar jobs,” Henning said.
(Turn to Pago A 46)
1990-J
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