Can't help with your news.  However sitting through the Bloomington slaughter sale this week, I was really surprised at the level of interest, and prices, for good slaughter bulls. Several 2000 lb beef breed bulls went for over $1.00.  That seems to indicate a market need for ground beef.

I think there is current demand for at least some types of beef.

This would also bring into question the sharp drop in cattle prices in December.