Delayed recovery for US cattle herd numbers

Economic factors hinder US cattle herd rebuild

The path to rebuilding the US beef cattle herd is proving to be lengthy, with projections now extending to possibly four years. This delay stems from a combination of high steer and heifer prices and economic decisions by smaller beef producers, as highlighted in a CoBank report. These producers, representing a quarter of the US beef inventory, typically prioritize immediate financial returns over long-term herd expansion.

The persistent drought has further impacted the industry, diminishing pasture quality and forage availability, crucial for maintaining healthy cattle populations.

The decline in the number of beef cows, now in its fifth year, has led to the lowest herd numbers since the early 1960s.

This reduction in herd size means fewer cattle are being processed, which keeps beef prices high and continues to squeeze profit margins across the industry.

As US producers struggle with these challenges, international competitors like Brazil and Australia are boosting their market shares by increasing beef exports to the US and other countries.

This situation underscores the complex interplay of environmental and economic factors that are shaping the US beef industry’s current challenges and its slow journey towards recovery.