WASDE: Beef Production Increases From Last Month

Farm Journal logo

Beef production is looking to increase from original projections. The February World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates saw the 2015 beef projection increase 390 million lbs. and the outlook for 2014 increased by 3 million lbs.

For the first quarter of 2015 beef production saw an increase over last year’s mark and compared to last month’s projection. The 2014 first quarter saw 5.868 billion lbs. of beef produced. The January 2015 report looked to drop off to 5.685 billion lbs., but the updated February outlook has jumped to 5.91 billion lbs.

Beef prices projections dropped for the first quarter of 2015 at $162.17/cwt for fed steers last month to $158.62/cwt. That continues a trend of decreasing live cattle prices with 2014 ending the fourth quarter at $165.60/cwt.

Imports have once again been slated to pick up since last month’s projection to help make up for the beef production deficient. The report indicates an additional 40 million lbs. will be brought into the U.S. in 2015 at 2.81 billion lbs. More beef imports keep coming in on the 2014 data. The year ended with 19 million lbs. of additional coming to the country for a total of 2.947 billion lbs. of beef imports.

Beef export projections remained dropped 75 million lbs. for 2015 with 2.450 billion lbs. predicted to leave the country. The West Coast port shutdown could be to blame for some of the export slow down.

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.