By Matthew Diersen, South Dakota State University
In early February, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) estimated lower returns for the farm sector in 2024. The cattle sector, aggregating everything from cow-calf operations through feedlots, is expected to see lower returns as lower traded volume offsets higher prices. At the same time, higher feeder animal expenditures are expected to continue. Another major cost item, interest expense, is expected to remain high, as steady to potentially lower interest rates are offset by higher loan volumes. At the local level, higher rates have…
