US meat production expected to plateau in 2002
A report on the US meat and poultry industry suggests that production is likely to remain static in 2002 after increasing by less than 1% in 2001. The Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture produced the report.
Beef production fell by 3% in 2001, reflecting several years of cattle herd reductions and continued high heifer slaughter. The beef herd continued to fall from the 103.5 million head cyclical peak in 1996. Beef cow slaughter increased significantly with prices for hay above normal levels.
Large numbers of heifers were placed into feedlots rather than being retained for herd expansion. The report said that even if conditions suited heifers being retained and used for breeding it would still be around 2005 before beef supplies begin to rise.
