By Jamie Martin
The U.S. beef cow population has reached its lowest point in over six decades, signaling a long journey ahead for the industry's recovery.
The CoBank Knowledge Exchange recently highlighted the economic pressures causing cow-calf operators to sell rather than retain heifers for breeding, exacerbating the decline in beef cow numbers.
High calf prices, costly feed, and damage from adverse weather have created a tough environment for producers.
Despite some recent relief in feed prices, the financial lure of selling calves for immediate cash continues to outweigh the benefits of herd expansion.
The ongoing drought, particularly severe since 2021, has significantly reduced forage availability, further hindering the ability of producers to maintain or grow their herds. Although conditions have somewhat improved, the lack of sufficient hay reserves could delay any meaningful recovery in beef cow numbers.
The economic analysis by CoBank indicates that calf prices, which are at record highs, must stabilize to encourage heifer retention.
Without a shift in market conditions, it might be until 2026 or 2027 before the U.S. sees any substantial increase in its beef cow population. The road to rebuilding is expected to be gradual, with only modest increases in cow inventory over the coming years.
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Categories: National