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Wes Ishmael

Contributing Editor, Penton Media, Inc.

Among the industry’s most insightful thinkers, Wes Ishmael concentrates on industry price and market perspectives for BEEF magazine. Along with his monthly “Cattle Economics” column, he also writes the BEEF Stocker Trends electronic newsletter, coordinates the National Stocker Award competition, and contributes to the Beef Stocker USA website produced by BEEF and Kansas State University. A BEEF contributing editor since 1999, he’s been involved with livestock publications since 1983. Wes grew up in Colorado and has always been in and around the livestock business; he now lives at Benbrook, TX.

Posts in Cattle Economics view all

by Wes Ishmael Feb. 24, 2011

As Prices Skyrocket, So Does The Risk

“Record-high prices do not mean record-high profits. The amount of risk is intensifying.” That’s how Randy Blach, CattleFax CEO, summed up the....More
by Wes Ishmael Jan. 27, 2011

Opinion: Growing Amid Contraction

At least 20 years ago, I heard Dave Nichols of Nichols Superior Beef Genetics in Bridgewater, IA, tell a group of cattle producers that the nation’s....More
by Wes Ishmael Jan. 6, 2011

Beef Quality Assurance Is A Stewardship Tool

Almost two decades ago, the beef industry had a demand-damning problem that no one in the cattle business was aware of: about one out of four top....More
by Wes Ishmael Dec. 7, 2010

U.S. Beef Industry Needs Export Markets

No single producer can sway entire nations to ease trade restrictions for U.S. beef exports. But, every producer can understand the economic....More
by Wes Ishmael Nov. 4, 2010

Let Free Market Work In The Cattle Business

Innovation is fueled by need, but it’s born through freedom. Ponder anything in the cattle business long taken for granted....More
by Wes Ishmael Oct. 6, 2010

Profit Prospects For Stockers Look Good This Winter

“It scares me anytime I put together a stocker budget and see much of a profit. Because if I account for all the opportunity costs....More
by Wes Ishmael Sep. 8, 2010

Don't Miss Out On Cull Cow & Bull Value

When it comes to cull cows, the difference between a troublesome afterthought and a strategic profit center is usually a few months and some feed....More
by Wes Ishmael Aug. 5, 2010

Is The Current Cattle Industry Business Model Sustainable?

“Despite worldwide population demand for beef, the U.S. beef industry is contracting,” says Barry Dunn, dean of South Dakota State University’s....More
by Wes Ishmael Jul. 2, 2010

Stocksmanship Pays

Sometimes, it’s the things you think you know but don’t which offer the most immediate opportunity. “Most technology requires additional monetary....More
by Wes Ishmael Jun. 2, 2010

Free Trade Is Fair Trade

If you support fair but free market competition, you should be concerned about the regional anti-trust workshops being conducted by USDA and the....More
What's Cattle Economics?

Wes Ishmael provides tightly focused analysis and commentary on specific beef quality and marketing issues of practical importance to beef producers.

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