Livestock Economics
BUDGETS: cow calf, backgrounding, summer grazing
LMIC: Analysis and Comments, In the Cattle Market, Livestock Monitor
MARKET REPORTS: area market reports
PRESENTATIONS: meeting presentations
Chart of the Week
There is interest in beef cow herd rebuilding in the U.S. The number of heifers held as beef cow replacements in the U.S. on Jan. 1 was up for the second straight year. However, due to severe drought in much of the U.S., the number of heifers retained is still historically low. Contrast beef replacements in the U.S. with North Dakota, where historically high numbers were recorded the last three years. In fact, the 207,000 beef replacement heifers in ND on Jan. 1 were the highest since 1974 and the fourth highest since records began in 1920. Weather will continue to be the wild card in beef herd rebuilding. Much of the Central U.S., including Southwest ND, remains very dry and will need sufficient rain to sustain an increase in cow numbers.
