Report: Nation's Cattle Herd Smallest Since 1952
Source: Associated Press
WICHITA, Kan. A much anticipated government count shows the nation's cattle herd has shrunk to its smallest size in more than six decades amid a widespread drought that has forced ranchers to sell off their animals.
--clip
The agency says this is the lowest January cattle inventory since 1952. It does two counts per year, in January and July.
A livestock analyst says fewer cows will mean less beef and higher prices coming down the line for consumers.
Read more: http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/texas/report-nations-cattle-herd-smallest-since-1952/nWC9c/
Ian David
(69,059 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)That bunch of cows hasn't herd much all year!
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,593 posts)villager
(26,001 posts)n/t
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)villager
(26,001 posts)Alas.
Response to villager (Reply #6)
Purveyor This message was self-deleted by its author.
Kolesar
(31,182 posts)Just a faint amount and a bit of olive oil. That's how I roll.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)You beat me to it!!!
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)It's whats for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)High feed prices due to the drought. Same issue with the cattle.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)but my sympathy to carnivores (NOT). So sorry you are going have less beef and higher prices. Maybe you should try going vegetarian. It will be a lot cheaper. Soon there will be less pork and chicken.
NickB79
(19,257 posts)Even vegetarians should brace for higher food costs in the coming years. The finite fossil fuels we rely on to run our megafarms aren't gonna get cheaper, the world shows no sign of embracing meaningful population control, the seas are running out of fish, and global warming is only going to get much, much worse in the coming years.
Socal31
(2,484 posts)The majority of the world has no choice but to eat other animals to survive. Vegetarianism is fine, but I see no reason to be rude to people who choose to eat meat.
Being a vegetarian and getting enough calories is certainly not cheaper, sorry. I love my fresh fruits and veggies, and unless you have a garden that can sustain you through the year, you pay a pretty penny for veggies. At least I do around here.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)Beef prices will probably increase this summer. As that happens, herd sizes should increase IF there is not another year of drought in the corn belt.
NickB79
(19,257 posts)Says it's a good bet we will see another year of drought in the Midwest this year.
Smilo
(1,944 posts)fewer cows will mean less beef and higher prices coming down the line for consumers.
Allegedly tweeted by Scott Brown
jwirr
(39,215 posts)no longer affordable. As I read down the thread Alternatives to cattle were mentioned but they all end up eating grains that are also short.
Robb
(39,665 posts)Canada in particular sends us a lot of beef, which we process.
DJ13
(23,671 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,722 posts)Less BSE and more vegetarians may abound.
JVS
(61,935 posts)leveymg
(36,418 posts)If so-called market forces were at actually at work, with prices so high, one would think the cattlemen would be expanding their herds.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)Most of the glut last year was farmers selling them off because of the drought. The herds are their livelihood.