The U.S. cattle herd is at record low-levels. In fact the herd size has not been this small in many decades. Yet despite that fact, there are still significant headwinds that remain before the U.S. beef herd expands once again says Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations for CattleFax.
Making up for that loss in overall herd size, Good says producers are feeding fewer animals for longer periods of time.
The leading indicator for when the herd size will increase is when producers hold back extra heifers for breeding. Good says that trend has not yet taken place. With beef prices at record levels, current prices will not incentivize farmers and ranchers to expand until some of their economic challenges subside.
That was Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations for CattleFax.
