As livestock processing plants continue to shut down across the country and outbreaks of COVID-19 take hold among factory workers, the damage to farmers and the livestock industry continues to mount.

For beef and pork producers, the numbers are shocking.

A study commissioned by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association estimated that losses for the beef sector could cost farmers, ranchers and feedlots more than $13.6 billion in 2020.  The study noted...