Herds with more than 100 head of cattle represent 51 percent of the beef cow inventory. Producers with fewer than 40 head of cattle usually have multiple sources of farm income or also have employment off the farm.

• Beef production affects the U.S. economy. According to USDA, meat animal producers in 2005 were responsible for more than $64 billion in added value to the U.S. economy, as measured by contribution to national output.

• The “Producer Code for Cattle Care” represents a comprehensive set of good production practices followed by cattlemen: to provide adequate food, water and care to protect cattle health and well-being, provide disease prevention practices to protect herd health, provide facilities that allow safe and humane movement and/or restraint of livestock, provide personnel with training to properly handle and care for cattle, and make timely observations to ensure basic needs are met.

• A mid-year land value survey conducted by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA) in 2006 found that land values across the state increased by 20 percent between 2004 and 2005 and by 10 percent between 2005 and 2006. Urban development around Chicago and other metropolitan areas are cited as the primary reasons for the jumps.

• In the same survey, 41 percent of ISPFMRA respondents expect farmland values to remain at the same level in 2007 as compared to 2006. About 35 percent expect farmland prices to increase in 2007 as compared to 2006.

Source: Farm Week