An Iowa State University livestock economist says at the current point in the beef production cycle, the number of cattle should be leveling-off. That would usually mean lower prices — but as Lee Schulz looks ahead to 2020 — he sees better prices than the ones today.

Schulz says export sales grew by double-digits in recent years, and a bit more modestly in 2019. The new trade deal with Japan and the likely implementation of a new North American agreement could keep beef exports strong in 2020.

African swine fever has not been found in North America. But Schulz says the threat of it has prompted many farmers to pour profits into shoring-up biosecurity, which has the added benefit of reducing the spread of existing diseases, too.