Are we "out of " cattle?

Since the two years of drought liquidation, the beef cattle inventory has became so low that producers are pressed with the question of will we be able to rebuild the beef cow herd?  Two issues that will help determine the ability of the beef industry to rebuild is the loss of forage land to non-agricultural uses and the conversion of pasture to crop production. 

The drought is the major factor affecting the herd liquidation and until forage conditions improve rebuilding is moved to the back burner.  In 2011, 1.07 million head of beef cows decreased in Texas, Oklahoma, and the surrounding states.  Much of these same regions, like Arkansas, are still in a drought or at least feeling its effects.  Most of these losses in beef cows can be recovered, though some regions will take years.  The drought of 2012 has yet to be documented in terms of cow numbers, but experts estimate another 400 to 500 thousand head decrease in herd numbers. 

About 30 percent of the total U.S. land area is rangeland, pasture, or non-cultivated cropland, however; this includes some land used for recreational use.  From 1997 to 2007, land used for development increased nearly 17 million acres.  Land diversion away from agriculture is an important issue, but experts suggest this does not present a large barrier for the potential rebuilding of cow herds.  Only time will tell how well the beef industry will truly recover from these losses.  

Source: Derrell S. Peel

            Oklahoma State University Extension

            Livestock Marketing Specialist