News

Liquidation is happening – but are we losing the cattle completely?

The cattle industry continues to see contraction as drought conditions persist in parts of the country.

University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says there’s been a recent uptick in beef cows headed to slaughter.  “Things like drought and maybe economics that haven’t been as goods are certainly going to be in play as we get next January’s beef cow counts,” he says. 

There have been a large number of herd liquidations in the Dakotas and other drought-stricken areas.

But, he tells Brownfield they’re not all headed into the supply chain.  “Anecdotally you can certainly hear some cows moving to other parts of the country,” he says.  “Trying to find a home until maybe the worst of the drought conditions subside in parts of the country.  We don’t know how long that is and we don’t know how long those cows can hold on in other parts of the country as well.”

Brown says it’s possible the impact of the liquidations could be less than expected.  “Only because we moved cows to other parts of the country that are in better shape in terms of grass availability,” he says.