More herd expansion predicted
The beef cattle herd could expand in 2016.
On Jan. 29, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release the annual Cattle Inventory Report and the national herd count is expected to see an increase.
Heifer retention looks to increase throughout the next year and into 2017-18. Production of beef may grow 4-5 percent during the New Year, too.
"What that means is prices for your calves will be lower over the next three or four years, simply because there are more cattle being brought to market," says Greg Henderson, editor of Beef Today.