The COVID-19 crisis is impacting almost every segment of life and every business in the United States and worldwide. The cattle industry is also suffering unprecedented market reactions and supply chain disruptions.
“From closing of service industries to shuttering of processing facilities, supply chain disruptions have wreaked havoc on segments of the beef industry and created instability that has not been seen before,” said Craig Gifford, New Mexico State University Extension beef cattle specialist. “These challenges make it difficult for ranchers to execute sound business decisions.”
NMSU Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a free webinar series, “Navigating COVID-19 for New Mexico Beef Producers,” where industry leaders will provide beef producers with the most current information available.
“It is certainly impossible to predict what will happen, but these webinars will provide information and variables to watch so producers can make as informed a decision as possible,” Gifford said.
The first session, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30, via Zoom, will focus on the beef cattle market and climate forecast.
New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte will provide opening remarks regarding the impact of COVID-19 on New Mexico agriculture, and how we move forward.
An expert in beef supply chain and beef market, Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University professor of agricultural economics, will discuss the economic fallout of COVID-19 and what to watch for going forward.
NMSU climatologist Dave DuBois will provide a 2020 monsoon season outlook.
Participants in the webinars must register prior to the event. Visit nmbeef.nmsu.edu to register. The sessions are limited to 300 participants.
“Because the COVID-19 situation is evolving daily, the webinar series will take place monthly as long as necessary,” Gifford said. “Time, date and speakers for future webinars will be announced later.”
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