Consumers are continuing to confront high beef prices at the store. Is the industry closer to helping resolve the imbalance?  Stephanie Hoff finds out with the help of Jeff Swenson, meat and livestock specialist, DATCP.  Swenson says high cattle prices are leading to larger swings in both directions, influenced by fluctuating harvest rates and packer demand. Despite market volatility, farmers currently hold more leverage than packers, as market-ready cattle remain at a premium. Meat packers are currently struggling with profitability, balancing high cattle costs against wholesale beef cutout values. Feed remains the number one expense for cattle feeders, while fuel and pharmaceutical costs (vaccinations) continue to rise for cow-calf producers.High pasture rents and the initial cost of livestock make it difficult for new farmers to enter the beef industry. Many dairy producers are transitioning to  eef as an exit strategy or diversifying their operations with "beef-on-dairy" crossbreeding. While dairy-beef crosses are improving in quality, 100% purebred beef animals still command a price premium. The typical 10-year cattle cycle has been elongated due to drought, resulting in a tighter supply than historically expected at this stage.

Rain is drifting across the state today, bringing with it some gusty winds.  Stu Muck says that temps should stay above average  

Sales averages on many implements and tractors remains firm.  That's the latest update from Ashley Huhn at the Steffes Group.  He is also seeing a surge in interest for fall auctions.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

Meet Gabrielle Huitema from Markesan!  This UW-River Falls grad is another finalist for the 79th Alice in Dairyland position.  Huitema has focused most of her college and career experience on humane anmial handling in the slaughter process.  She wants to make sure the message gets out that many things go right in the animal handling arena.

Wisconsin farmers are almost caught up on spring planting pace.  Pam Jahnke provides the latest crop progress update.

John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend tells Pam Jahnke that most areas of the U.S. are now on par with planting progress.  The unfortunate crop right now is wheat.  Heinberg also highlights news that the Trump administration intends to allow more beef imports into the U.S.  Heinberg says the U.S. is already on a record pace of accepting outside beef, but it's usually much lower quality than what's produced in the U.S.  Markets will be watching developments during the meeting of President Trump and China President, Xi Jinping