Letter to Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture - Soto Calls for Loss Recovery Programs for Beef Industry

Letter

Dear Secretary Perdue,

We write to request your agency consider the beef industry during ongoing and future discussions
of any loss recovery programs. The effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) have been felt by all
facets of the U.S. agricultural economy. As of April 8, 2020, the financial losses sustained by the
United States Beef Cattle Industry are estimated at $13.6 billion.1 Given the complexity of the
entire cattle industry, these losses are felt throughout the country.

Within the primary production for the industry, Cow-Calf sector anticipates estimated 2020 losses
of $111.91 per head of cattle. Since this production is year-round and a long-term investment, the
total losses and future impact estimates are $247.15 per head for each mature breeding animal.
Production with in the stocking and backgrounding sector anticipate an average loss of nearly $156
per head of cattle. Lastly, the feedlot sector expects a decrease in value for animals prior to the
COVID-19 and through the third quarter of 2020. AS OF February1, these losses will be
approximately $206 per head for all cattle on feed.

Given these significant losses within the industry, we ask your full and fair consideration for the
inclusion of the cattle beef industry during any ongoing and future discussions for any loss
recovery programs.

Sincerely,
Reps. Darren Soto, Ted S. Yoho, DVM, Al Lawson, Jr. and Dusty Johnson.

Source