Department of Animal Science
Date of this Version
December 1997
Abstract
Where we have been and where we are today will largely dictate what the future will look like. The loss of market share has been widely chronicled, but it needs to be reviewed again in the context of establishing the current situation. This fact-based downsizing of the industry demands that we ask why it has occurred. There is discussion on both sides of the issue, but again, good science and the facts suggest much of the long-run problem has been on the demand side. The cycle is complete, then, when we ask why we have demand problems. If we can take a look at where we are, what the situation is today, where the industry appears to be heading in terms of structure and strategies, then we have a base for anticipating the future of the beef industry.
Comments
Published for Proceedings, The Range Beef Cow Symposium XV December 9, 10 and 11, 1997, Rapid City, South Dakota.