The director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council says demand for beef has been a shining light even in the darkest times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rex Hoppes tells Brownfield it has been “unbelievable.”

“The demand continues to stay solid, and grew dramatically with the onset of COVID-19 back in the early months of March, April and May. And (there were) tremendous opportunities that we saw in the marketplace.”

He says while retail sales are off the charts, COVID restrictions have led to the demise of many small restaurants in rural communities throughout the country.

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