Jalopy
Well-known member
I read this in the Stockmans Grazier Blog and thought it was food for thought and debate. I have not really decided if I can agree totally with the premise. However if grain prIces stay at record levels maybe heading back to more moderate sized cattle that finish sooner is an option. What do others think?
What Happend To The Cattle Cycle? E-mail
Tuesday, 06 January 2009
Whatever happened to the old reliable cattle cycle? Larger cattle is what happened. Every year since 1970, we have harvested one million fewer head of cattle and yet every year our national beef production has increased. There are now 500,000 fewer cattle producers than there were 20 years ago as well. The shift to large frame, late maturing bulls by American seedstock producers has created an industry that needs far fewer ranchers, bulls and seedstock producers. A shift back to moderate sized, early maturing cattle genetics could reverse this sad self-liquidation trend while making cattle much more grass-friendly and efficient.
What Happend To The Cattle Cycle? E-mail
Tuesday, 06 January 2009
Whatever happened to the old reliable cattle cycle? Larger cattle is what happened. Every year since 1970, we have harvested one million fewer head of cattle and yet every year our national beef production has increased. There are now 500,000 fewer cattle producers than there were 20 years ago as well. The shift to large frame, late maturing bulls by American seedstock producers has created an industry that needs far fewer ranchers, bulls and seedstock producers. A shift back to moderate sized, early maturing cattle genetics could reverse this sad self-liquidation trend while making cattle much more grass-friendly and efficient.