WESTMORELAND, Kan. — Using the Meat Demand Monitor, Kansas State University agricultural economists can track U.S. consumer preferences, views and demand for meat with separate analysis for retail and food service channels on a monthly basis. According to the latest survey data, consumers still are willing to pay slightly more for ribeye steaks and ground beef at retail. Glynn Tonsor told the more than 150 attending the August 25 KLA/K-State Ranch Management Field Day near Westmoreland that while this shows beef demand remains good, inflation is having an impact.

When asked how they are responding to higher retail meat prices in 2022, more consumers are indicating they are making changes. In fact, Tonsor said from May to July, the percentage of those saying they had reduced the volume of meat purchased increased from 27% to 31%.

“Demand for meat protein is still above last year and beef is well positioned, but the decrease in household income due to inflation will continue to force consumers to make tough decisions,” said Tonsor.

Attendees also heard from Wabaunsee County ranchers Barb Downey and Joe Carpenter on how they have implemented bale grazing into their operation. This grazing format involves leaving hay where it falls after being baled, then using electric fence to control access by cattle with one to two days of available forage. Cattle are moved to the next paddock after two days. According to Downey and Carpenter, the advantages of bale grazing have been no hauling, stacking and rehauling of hay at feeding time; reduced weathering loss and more concentrated nutrient deposition.

Sandy Johnson, K-State cow-calf extension specialist, rounded out the program by giving a presentation on how feed costs, reproductive performance, calf weaning weight and breakeven prices all interact.

The field day was hosted by the Gary Burgess family and sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and Huvepharma. Proceedings from the 2022 field days can be found here.

–Kansas Livestock Association