July 3, 2024

US sees minor year-to-date drop in beef production with smallest cattle herd on record

Year-to-date US beef production has only declined 0.1% (one tenth of a percent) compared to last year, despite the smallest cattle herd in the United States on record.

According to University of Missouri livestock economist Scott Brown, beef production in May was up nearly a percent from 2023 levels. "That had to do with what was 36 pounds higher cattle dressed weights in the May report," he said. "So I think that drove a lot of what we've seen."

He told Brownfield increasing dressed weights is one way to get more available beef. "It's not surprising we look those percentage changes, cattle slaughtered is down 3.2% and cattle weights up 4.4%," he said.  "You add all that together and we're up 0.9% in terms of beef production."

Brown added that he doesn't expect beef weights to decline anytime soon.

"Feedlots are trying to stay full and with corn back in that US$4.50 range, I think all those things keep us feeding cattle to heavier weights," he said.

- Brownfield