Cattle futures declined Thursday as workforce disruptions at meatpacking plants contributed to a sharp drop in U.S. cattle slaughter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated Thursday’s slaughter at 90,000 head, down from 107,000 a week earlier, Reuters reported. Industry representatives said increased immigration enforcement has kept some workers away from beef plants in Dodge City and Liberal, Kansas, delaying cattle shipments to processing facilities. The Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association said enforcement activity was having a significant effect on agricultural workers and warned that sudden workforce disruptions could affect animal welfare and beef supply-chain operations. Chicago Mercantile Exchange December live cattle futures fell 1.25 cents to $2.221 per pound Thursday. October feeder cattle dropped 1.575 cents to $3.3175 per pound. Industry officials said processing slowdowns could create cattle backlogs if labor disruptions continue.
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