Livestock Economics

BUDGETS: cow calf, backgrounding, summer grazing

LMIC: Analysis and Comments, In the Cattle Market, Livestock Monitor

MARKET REPORTS: area market reports

PRESENTATIONS: meeting presentations

Chart of the Week

2011 was a record breaking year for prices of all market classes of cattle. Lower supplies and a robust, and also record setting export market for beef were the main drivers of prices. Lower production and higher prices of competing meats, high beef by-product values, and some improvement in the domestic economy also helped to fuel prices. Lower supplies will also be evident in 2012, with beef production expected to decline about 3.5 percent. a smaller beef cow herd, due largely to record setting drought in the Southern Plains, will result in a smaller 2012 calf crop and lower beef production in 2013. Continued strong export demand and an improving domestic economy, along with the shorter supplies should spawn record high cattle prices again in 2012 and 2013.