Cattle Producers Remain Optimistic and Beef Exports Down in August
**Cattle producers are generally an optimistic bunch.
A Drover’s beef industry survey shows 64% remain optimistic.
Over half, 51% plan to grow their herd size in the next five years, and 38% plan to maintain their herd sizes.
Producers are looking to the future, with 59% saying they’re planning to add a family member to the operation within the next five years, up from 54% last year.
**Beef exports totaled 102,682 mt in August, down 6% from last year and the lowest since January. Export VALUE fell 4% to $845.9 million.
Mexico’s demand for U.S. beef remained solid in August, while exports also trended higher to Taiwan, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
But the results were offset by lower shipments to Japan, South Korea and China/Hong Kong.
So far this year, beef exports were down 3% from last year, but up 4% in VALUE.
**Two-thirds of U.S. consumers have used a food-ordering app at least once for takeout, delivery, or both, according to the September Consumer Food Insights Report.
Nearly half of those consumers say they use an app for delivery or takeout at least once a week.
The Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability survey assesses food spending, consumer satisfaction, values, support of agriculture and food policies.