Droughts In Southern U.S. Bring Cattle Market As Low As It’s Been Since 1952
Raising cattle in Southern U.S. wasn’t the easiest task last year. The cattle market showed beef cow herd liquidation, less calves on cereal grain pasturing and more cattle in feedlots due to the record setting drought.
The areas that had the most trouble include Texas, who declined by 660,000 head, Oklahoma who declined by 288,000 head, New Mexico with 53,000 head and Kansas with 51,000 head. A few neighboring areas that did not experience the same drought conditions gained some of these beef cows. Nebraska increased by 112,000 head, Colorado by 22,000 head and Wyoming by 20,000 head.
The first day of 2012, U.S. reported 90.8 million head of cattle and calves. This number is as low as it has been since 1952 (88.1million). However, the cattle market remains only 2% below last years number at the same time. The interesting fact is in 1952 beef production was at about 10B lbs whereas 2011’s total with only 2.7 million head more, the beef production was at 26B lbs.
Texas, the largest beef cow producing state in the nation sent many cattle to moister environments. Dr. David Anderson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock economist, said “Reported out shipments rose dramatically above 2010 in August-October. Total cattle reported shipped out of state in 2011 was 1.113 million head, 287,000 more than in 2010.”
The numbers in the calf crop in 2011 were down 1% from 2010 and the supply on the cattle market is expected to remain low in 2012. Slaughter numbers in 2011 rose due to the unruly weather as well. However, the positive aspect for raising cattle is the record high feeder cattle and calf prices.
For the consumer, the main aspect farmers face in raising cattle will be on the purchasing end. Retail beef prices will remain high as long as the cattle market continues to struggle.
Faye Joyce has written 108 articles on EpostMedia.
