U.S. Beef Cow Herd to Increase

The U.S. beef cow herd may be on track to increase to about 35 million head, reaching levels similar to those of 1996-97, Cattle-Fax Executive Vice President Randy Blach reported to the American Feed Industry Association’s Liquid Feed Symposium in September. Cow-calf producers are making profits, and grazing and feed conditions are good enough to support a larger herd, said Blach.

Slaughter data show herd expansion is already developing. Cattle-Fax projects the U.S. beef cow herd will rise by nearly two million head during the next three years, from the low of fewer than 33 million head in 2004, said Blach.


October 2005 Render