The chair of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association says 2020 has been a tough year for many livestock producers.

In a year end interview, Arnold Balicki of Shellbrook says COVID-19 has had quite an impact on the cattle industry, causing a backlog of cattle going to market because of temporary shut-downs of major beef packing plants.

Balicki says the coronavirus caused lower cattle prices after meatpacking plants had temporary closures.

Balicki remains optimistic that markets will turn around and conditions will return to a more normal position in 2021,
but he worries another backlog of cattle going to market if packing plants are forced to shut-down due to covid-19.