Alva Review-Courier -

STILLWATER, Okla. – Meat plant closings, market disruptions and the slow recovery in cattle prices this spring – largely attributable to the coronavirus pandemic – have hit beef producers hard, with those in the Oklahoma Panhandle being among the most significantly affected.

Their possible responses are limited. Industry experts said livestock owners need to take on the difficult task of planning alternatives and work out the math.

“To make matters worse, the Panhandle just went through 142 days with under a quarter-inch of rain as of May 17 and about two inches in six months,” said Justin Wag...