When prices drop this low, exports usually increase as other countries take advantage of a bargain. But exports have been disappointing, Gerloff said. U.S. acreage has been increasing the past five years, and yields have been good. Right now the world has an abundant supply of grains and oilseeds. Prices may be low now, but the economist is optimistic about the future.
Prices tend to move in cycles.
Right now we're in the low part of the price range. Prices eventually will rise again. All cases of infected cattle have occurred in Europe, mostly in England. So there's no danger to Americans who eat beef, Melton said. Scientists believe that by-products of slaughtered sheep infected with scrapie were added as a protein supplement to cattle feed in England.