News

Iowa auction market feels effects of packing plant labor issues

Labor issues at packing plants are starting to be felt further down the supply chain.

David Waterhouse, owner of the Manchester, Iowa livestock auction, says they cancelled their fed cattle slaughter auction today because of a lack of interest from cattle buyers.

“We’re having some of the packers having labor issues as far as the help not wanting to show up for fear of safety, whether they’ve had positive cases or not,” Waterhouse says. “I know one of our major plants over here on Saturday only had half of the employees show up.”

Waterhouse says fed cattle prices in eastern Iowa continue to fall and it’s impacting feeder cattle prices as well.

“We’ve seen what I would say are yearling steers, whether they’re backgrounded or home-raised, drop as much as $270 a head in three weeks’ time,” Waterhouse says.

It’s a “horrible” situation, he says.

“I’ve lived through mad cow disease and 9/11 and this is going to just be, by far and away, the worst thing that I’ve even seen.”

Manchester is in eastern Iowa, between Waterloo and Dubuque.

AUDIO: David Waterhouse

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!