It’s useful to explore two measures - beef cow inventory and producer’s share - simultaneously because both are often referenced by those critical of the industry’s innerworkings.
Significant declines to the beef cow inventory have led some to argue it’s an indicator of the beef industry’s decline. Further examination of the data, however, suggests that talking point is misleading.
Many ranchers have successfully improved genetic potential for both growth and marbling, yet many simply wean and/or ship calves at a specified time and/or weight, forfeiting much of the value they’ve worked to create.
Real-world data confirms cattlemen are rewarded for high-quality carcasses through grid pricing. Why, then, would/should the industry regress back to selling more cattle on a cash basis?
When might cow/calf operations begin the rebuilding process? Lots of variables will ultimately dictate the answer including weather, input prices, and interest rates.
The fourth installment in a series surrounding international beef trade, this one focusing on the consistent and ever-growing return on investment beef exports provide to American cattlemen.
Given the significance of international trade to the beef industry it’s important to explore the topic in more detail. This column begins with the broader economic framework.
Given the fundamental importance of the land enterprise to any farming/ranching business, time and energy are best directed towards guarding against the never-ending barrage of regulation.
