USDA’s investigation of market reaction to the Tyson fire will likely by available by early next year, according to Colin Woodall, the newly minted CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“We’ve asked them to move as quickly as possible. We’ve also asked them to look to external advisers and experts who can help them analyze and provide perspective of this data,” Woodall explained during this week’s Beltway Beef podcast.   

“More importantly, what we’re hearing from USDA is that they want to be thorough, and thorough does not always necessarily mean fast. But, I think everybody is listening and everybody in the industry would prefer there to be a thorough investigation, so we can truly understand what transpired and try to finally answer everybody’s questions.”

With the lost fed cattle harvest capacity and lower prices after the fire, Woodall noted the understandable concern and frustration of cattle producers.

“We understand that there is a high level of emotion, but we also need to make sure that we’re sticking to the facts. That’s what NCBA is trying to do,” Woodall said. “We’re trying to get the facts, and that’s why we’re supporting this USDA investigation, so that we can get all of the facts on the table as quickly as possible and so everyone can understand what happened and how we move forward as an industry.”

Related:Perdue announces investigation into market reaction to Tyson beef plant fire