Packers
Dr. Derrell Peel says the longer the border remains closed to Mexican cattle imports, the more likely some industry changes could become permanent.
Structural efficiency supports cattle prices and resilience — breaking it risks higher costs and greater volatility.
Protein markets are fragmenting. Beef is supply-driven and more structurally expensive, whereas pork and poultry remain price-competitive.
Tight fed supplies shift margin risk to packers, strengthening cattle price leverage but increasing volatility.