Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook: February 2012

by Rachel Johnson

Increased replacement-heifer inventories may not be sufficient for cow herd expansion in the face of the large numbers of cows being slaughtered. La Nina remains in place and could adversely affect any expansion plans. Continued negative profit margins for cattle feeders and meat packers, along with consumer resistance to higher retail prices, would also put an upper boundary on expansionary enthusiasm. Positive factors are record feeder cattle prices, growth in natural and organic beef sales, and increasing beef exports.

Keywords: Dairy, cattle, cattle trade, poultry

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