11/11/08 Cull cow price outook

Washington Ag November 11, 2008 Cull cow prices dropped off sharply in recent weeks but should strengthen as the fall low is put in. That's the outlook from Jim Robb of the Livestock Marketing Information Center. He spoke to Washington cattlemen recently on a teleconference and says one factor that will help cull cow prices is that consumers are trading down because of the economy. They are eating more hamburger, fewer steaks. Robb: "I would expect that demand for lower cost beef items being up, and as we pull back cow kill, and most of the cow kill recently has been in the southern plains, southeastern states and California because of the drought, we could see some very strong cull cow prices as we look ahead." A Farm-To-Table Workshop is being held next Monday, November 17th at the Wenatchee Community Center. It will run from nine a.m. to three p.m. The regional meeting is free and intended for all farmers, food artisans, local food processors, vintners, chefs, bakers, restaurateurs, grocers, and school, hospital or nursing home food service interested in direct marketing opportunities. For more information on the Farm-To-Table Workshop in Wenatchee call 509-663-8181 extension 235. I'm Bob Hoff.