September 15, 2006

2006 US feed grain supply down while grain use up
 

Even though corn production was up from last year, US feed grain production in 2006 is forecast to be down 3 million tonnes from 2005 to reach 296 million tones.

Meanwhile, feed grain supply in 2006/07 is forecast at 353 million tonnes, down nearly 6 million tonnes from 2005/06, according to the Cattlenetwork.

Total feed grain use in 2006/07 hit 318 million, up nearly 15 million tonnes from the previous year.

Feed and residual use, along with exports, were higher this month.

Corn is estimated to account for 93 percent of the feed and residual use in 2006/07.

The projected index of grain-consuming animal units (GCAU) for 2006/07 was up 1 million from 2005/06. The change was caused by more cattle on feed inventory as demand slows and required slaughter weights increase.

GCAUs for the other livestock sectors are little changed this month. The grain used per GCAU in 2005/06 would be 1.80 tonnes, up from 1.79 tonnes in 2005/06.