Cattle producers are continuing a slow expansion of brood cow numbers, but rapid movement of calves into feedlots due to depleted pastures means lower finished cattle prices are likely, says a Purdue University Extension marketing specialist.
"Late 2006 and early 2007 remain a vulnerable period for the cattle industry as higher beef supplies are interfacing with delays in restoring beef exports to Asia," says Chris Hurt. "Slowing U.S. economic growth in the face of rising energy costs may also reduce beef expenditures."
Hurt's comments came as he reviewed the current state of the U.S. cattle industry following the USDA's mid-year Cattle report. The report revealed that cattle expansion remains slow with a total cattle inventory of 105.7 million head, just 1% greater than last year at this time.
The calf crop for 2006 is estimated at 37.9 million, fractionally higher than last year.
"The beef industry is in the second year of a brood cow expansion, but so far the growth is very moderate," says Hurt. "Beef cow numbers reached a cycle low level in July 2004 at 33.4 million head. This summer's inventory of 33.8 million head is just slightly over a 1% expansion in the past two years. So clearly, there is no rush to grow brood cow numbers.
"In addition, producers report they do not intend to increase cow numbers in the near future as they are retaining the same number of beef replacement heifers as last year. This means they are replacing cull cows, but are not likely to expand in the coming year."
Dairy cow numbers were up 1% and replacement milk heifers were up nearly 3%. Hurt says that this seems to be signaling interest in growing the dairy herd in the coming year, even in the face of $12 to $13 milk prices for this year and into 2007.
"The report's bearish surprise came in a much higher than expected level of placements into feedlots in June," says Hurt. "Given the dismal financial performance for feedlot cattle so far this summer, there was an anticipation that placements would be down about 1%.
"However, the USDA reports June placements rising 10% above the year-previous figures."
The large placement surge was made on lightweight calves. Placements weighing less than 700 pounds were up 31% (under 600 pounds up 37%, and 600 to 699 pounds up 24%).
"On the other hand, the number of calves weighing over 700 pounds was actually down 5%," Hurt notes. "The location of the large placement of lightweight calves is related to ongoing dry weather in the central and northern Plains. Colorado placements were up 35%, those in Nebraska were up 28%, and Kansas was up 11%.
"Of the four largest cattle-feeding states, only Texas had lower placements, down 4%. Pastures have just been too dry to support calves, and they have been moved to feedlots earlier than intended."
In the USDA's Crop Progress report released July 17, Colorado pastures were rated 65% in "poor" or "very poor" condition. These numbers stood at 61% for Oklahoma, 58% in Nebraska, and 52% in South Dakota.
So far this year, beef supplies have been up almost 7% on 4% higher slaughter numbers and 3% higher weights. Choice steer prices have averaged about $84.50, roughly $2.50 lower than during the same period in 2005. Overall demand has held well this year with supplies 7% higher and prices only down 3%.
"Finished cattle prices will likely trade lower, into the higher $70s, for the end of summer," Hurt says. "Prices are expected to recover into the lower to mid-$80s by fall, with prices somewhat above the mid-$80s by the end of the year.
"For 2007, beef production is expected to be up 1 to 3%. While this year's calf crop is estimated as only fractionally larger, weights will likely be up some next year, but not as much as this year due to higher feed costs and higher interest rates."
Hurt adds that feeder cattle and calf prices may feel some downward price pressure this fall and in 2007 as well. Calf prices this year have been only about $1 per hundredweight lower compared to the same period last year.
"Lower calf prices are expected to result from lower finished cattle prices, higher feed costs over the next year, and higher interest rates," says Hurt. "Given an environment of slowing U.S. economic growth with high energy prices, this makes the rest of 2006 and early 2007 a vulnerable period for cattle finishers and adds new importance to getting 'back on-track' with the Japanese."