Pasture and Hay Conditions Are Key to Beef Herd Recovery

US - Contractions in cattle numbers are expected to be present into through the year which is a phenomenon that better forage conditions can put right, according to Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist.
calendar icon 15 July 2013
clock icon 4 minute read

The U.S. beef herd is likely getting smaller again in 2013 due to unexpectedly large beef cow slaughter in the first half of the year. The 3.4 percent year-to-date increase in beef cow slaughter masks a more dramatic increase in beef cow culling since mid-March. After decreasing nearly 9 percent in the first ten weeks of the year, beef cow slaughter has averaged over 12 percent above year earlier levels for the last 15 weeks.

The rate of beef cow slaughter has slowed the last three weeks, averaging only 2.3 percent above the same period last year, with one week slightly lower than last year. Although beef cow slaughter is expected to drop below year earlier levels in the second half of 2013, it would take a severe decrease for the remainder of the year - certainly averaging more than ten percent below last year - to avoid net beef cow herd liquidation in 2013.

Although forage conditions are better now in many locations, it is the residual effects of drought the last two years combined with the long and severe winter that forced more herd culling so far this year. At the current time, 51 percent of U.S. pastures and ranges are in good or excellent condition, compared to only 25 percent at this time last year.

By contrast, this year 25 percent of pastures and ranges were in poor or very poor condition, compared to 43 percent last year. The Drought Monitor indicates that about 28 percent of the U.S. is in D2-D4 drought, slightly less than the 29 percent level one year ago. However, 49 percent of the U.S. currently has no drought at all, compared to 29 percent with no drought this time last year.

Drought conditions currently are confined to the western half of the country, where conditions are worsening in many regions; while most of the eastern half of the U.S. has no drought at all. Regional pasture and range conditions illustrate the dramatically different situations east and west with the western U.S. currently worse than last year at 54 percent poor/very poor compared to 45 percent last year.

California, Colorado and New Mexico all have more than 70 percent of pastures and ranges in poor to very poor condition. The middle of the country straddles the drought boundary and shows some improvement in pasture and range conditions with the Great Plains at 30 percent poor to very poor compared to 45 percent last year, and the Southern Plains at 31 percent compared to 33 percent last year.

Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Wyoming all have 35-45 percent of pastures and ranges in poor to very poor condition. Farther east, the Corn Belt currently has only 4 percent poor to very poor pastures compared to 46 percent one year ago. Similarly, the Southeast has only 3 percent poor to very poor pastures compared to 34 percent one year ago at this time.

Total forage production, both pasture and hay, is expected to increase significantly this year compared to drought-reduced production last year. However hay stocks were record low in December and May reflecting reduced production and increased use the past two years.

Moreover, the cold spring has delayed pasture and hay production thus far, resulting in continuing short forage supplies. Hay prices are expected to average lower this year compared to last year, but are currently above last year's level. USDA-NASS reported preliminary June prices that are up nearly 10 percent for alfalfa hay and up 11 percent for other hay.

The U.S. average alfalfa hay price was $220/ton and the price of other hay was $147/ton. Hay prices are up the most in the central and northern Plains and the Midwest compared to the southern Plains. In many states, prices for other hay are up relatively more than alfalfa hay prices.

Forage conditions and supplies are expected to improve significantly in the second half of 2013 in many regions, partially offset by persistent drought conditions in the Western half of the country.

However, the lack of forage has already provoked enough additional beef cow slaughter and likely diversion of potential replacement heifers into feeder markets to result in additional herd liquidation in 2013. A sharp decrease in beef cow slaughter and increased heifer in the second half of 2013 may set the stage for potential beef cow herd recovery to begin in 2014.

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