It's a testament to the resilient economy and steady consumer demand that the U.S. protein industries have held steady during trade uncertainties, new tariffs and extra production. Barring an unexpected crisis, 2019 portends more of the same resilience.

While all three major protein categories — chicken, beef and pork — have interesting narratives heading toward the traditionally strong summer selling season, none is more compelling than the broiler industry.

It's an honest mindset: Cattle prices go up, beef prices go up; cattle prices go down, beef prices … stay where they are?

The global processed meat market has grown exponentially in the last decade and this growth is expected to continue. In fact, according to FPSA’s most recent “Processed Meat and Meat Processing Equipment” report,

The trouble with making predictions for an agriculture-based industry is that uncontrollable factors have a funny way of intruding.

With two decades of experience in the protein business, I have seen the same lesson offered repeatedly; when supply exceeds demand, there are many losers and few winners. Economics should be prominent in the curriculum of poultry science students, because the principal lessons of economics are ignored by key management groups.