Beef Cow Slaughter Trends Point Towards Herd Expansion

With improving grass conditions in several cattle regions and a surge in prices, many cattle producers are contemplating expanding their herds. Scott Brown, a livestock economist from the University of Missouri, notes that a decrease in beef cow slaughter rates would be an early sign of this growth. Brown emphasizes the need to monitor these numbers closely to determine the pace of herd expansion. However, he also points out that while some producers might be considering expansion, others are still liquidating their herds. The USDA will release its livestock slaughter report this Thursday at 3ET/2CT.