Road Trip to Beef Cattle U

CattlePulse is taking a road trip. This month, host Elijah Griles visits Virginia Tech for the third annual Virginia Beef Cattle University, where producers, students, industry professionals, and educators gathered to learn, network, and discuss some of the biggest issues facing the cattle industry today.

In this episode, Elijah sits down with Emily Bowman of the Virginia Beef Center of Excellence, University of Kentucky livestock economist Dr. Kenny Burdine, and Dr. M. Wayne Ayers of Elanco Animal Health to discuss cattle markets, profitability, drought, and the ongoing response to New World Screwworm.

In this episode:

• Virginia Beef Cattle University brought together producers from Virginia and surrounding states for three days of workshops, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and industry discussions
• Emily Bowman highlights the event's hands-on workshops, including meat science demonstrations, carcass evaluations, sensory panels, and producer-focused educational sessions
• Dr. Kenny Burdine says cattle market fundamentals remain strong, with tight cattle supplies continuing to support profitability across the industry
• Burdine encourages producers to think strategically about reinvesting profits through facility improvements, grazing infrastructure, genetics, debt reduction, and building working capital—not just herd expansion
• Consumer demand remains a key market concern as beef prices stay high and competing proteins like pork and poultry may expand production more quickly than the cattle industry
• Dr. Wayne Ayers explains the biology and threat of New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue in livestock and wildlife
• As of the conference, Texas had confirmed 33 New World Screwworm cases, with control efforts focused on animal movement restrictions, producer vigilance, and the sterile insect technique
• Producers are encouraged to educate themselves on New World Screwworm identification and pay close attention to wounds caused by procedures such as ear tagging, castration, injections, and branding
• Virginia drought conditions worsened following the July heat wave, with 26% of the state classified in extreme drought, 40% in severe drought, and 32% in moderate drought
• NOAA CPC's July outlook indicates a 50–60% chance of above-normal temperatures across most of Virginia, while precipitation chances remain near normal
• Virginia feeder calf markets softened in June, with the six-market average for 500-pound steers at $455.10/cwt., down 1.3% from May
• Limited pasture conditions and drought stress may be reducing buyer demand for backgrounding cattle despite historically strong cattle prices

Resources mentioned:

• Virginia Beef Cattle University
• Cattle Market Notes Weekly
• Screwworm.gov
• U.S. Drought Monitor

CattlePulse is produced by Virginia Farm Bureau. Have a question or topic suggestion? Email Elijah at elijah.griles@vafb.com.