Beef Cow Numbers Decline in US, Increase in Canada

US - On August 21 USDA-NASS released the semi-annual United States and Canadian Cattle report, which reported July 1, 2012 along with 2007-2011 cattle numbers by class for each country. It was not a surprise that total cattle inventories in both countries continue to decline, because beef cow numbers in both countries have been declining for several years, writes Tim Petry, Livestock Economist at North Dakota State University.
calendar icon 3 September 2012
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Total cattle and calves in the US were reported at 97.8 million head on July 1, a decline of 2.2 per cent. Canadian cattle and calves were at 13.52 million head on July 1, a slight decline of only .07 per cent.

In the last few years I have had the opportunity to speak at several Canadian cattle producer meetings. Much the same as in the US, Canadian feeder calf and cow prices have increased to record high levels. But Canadian producers were also asking if and when beef cow herd expansion would take place in the US and/or Canada. Several Canadian cattle producers expressed an interest in expanding their beef herds, but were apprehensive given higher costs of production and the volatility in cattle and feed prices.

On July 1, beef cow numbers in the US were at 30.5 million head, down 900,000 from 2011. Beef cow numbers in Canada at 3.96 million were up 3,700 from last year. Severe drought in the US Southern Plains last year and spreading to 80 per cent of the cattle producing area this year took a toll on beef cow numbers. On the other hand, more favourable moisture conditions in much of the cattle producing region in Canada (over 80% of Canada’s beef cows reside in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) led to the modest increase in beef cows there.

Beef heifers retained for replacement in the US at 4.2 million head were unchanged from last year’s historically low number. Beef heifers in Canada at 662,200 were up 3 ½ per cent over last year, and the highest number since 2007. Again, moisture conditions were likely a major contributing factor in the difference between the two countries. So, it looks like beef cow herd rebuilding in the US will be delayed at least another year, while Canada’s beef cow herd could continue to increase.

Feeder cattle imports from Canada were up from last year’s low levels in the first half of 2012, but recently have declined to even below last year’s low count.

In 2011 Canadian feeder cattle imports were small due to:

1) Canada’s relatively large cow herd decline during the last five years (-21 per cent in Canada compared to - five per cent in US);

2) cheaper feed (many Canadian feedlots feed barley instead of corn) and more favorable feeding returns than in the US; and

3) the impacts of the Canadian dollar’s higher value on feeder cattle prices.

In the 2011 fall calf marketing season about 2.5 times more calves were exported to Canada than the previous 5-year average. That scenario may be setting up for 2012 as well, with poor pasture conditions and drought reduced supplies of corn in the US and good growing conditions and a good barley crop in Canada. Feed barley was quoted at about $5.65 per bushel in Calgary, Alberta last week compared to corn at $8.22/bu. in Omaha. Barley has about 85 per cent of the value of corn for cattle feed.

Further Reading

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