North Dakota cattle sales soar despite herd shortages

NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota cattle sales are at a record high, according to the North Dakota Beef Commission.

The commission attributed the increase to a shortage of cattle because of ongoing drought conditions, older ranchers leaving the industry and other factors.

However, the shortage is not affecting beef prices.

Although the industry’s stockpile is not as large as years past, the packers are able to match consumer demand by maintaining the flow of beef to the marketplace.

Commission officials say this process lowers pressure on the market.

“We’re just moving everything through the chain as quickly as possible, instead of loading a bunch of freezers full of beef making sure that we have a stockpile for the future,” Nicole Wardner, the executive director of North Dakota Beef Commission, said. “Now, while in the short term, that doesn’t sound like a great situation. In the long term, it’s just going to make sure that our demand remains high, as well as that consumers are satisfied with the product that they can receive.”

The commission said cow herds will be rebuilt once prices lower, which they expect will come in the next 18 months.