Persistent drought conditions in the past two years are having an impact on the US cattle inventory. The July inventory of all cattle and calves was 98.8 million head, down by 2% year on year. 

The weather conditions and record export demand are causing the beef cattle herd to be liquidated. It has declined by 2.4%, or 750,000 head, since the same period last year.

The drought’s impact on pastures and slaughter is well illustrated by the situation in Oklahoma.  Fast deteriorating pasture conditions have prompted cattle ranchers in that state to destock as the volume of feeder cattle for auction increased by 24% in just two weeks.

Share this story: