Much of 2020 has been preoccupied with daily and weekly slaughter numbers, carcass weights and boxed beef prices, along with monthly cattle-on-feed dynamics. The intertemporal volatility through the year adds to the challenge of assessing what, exactly, is the situation regarding the cattle cycle and longer-term herd dynamics.
The USDA will be providing estimates on Jan. 29, 2021, regarding cattle inventories going into 2021. The data available at this time provides mixed signals about how herd inventories have changed in 2020.
Cow herd changes depend on both heifer retention and cow culling. On Jan. 1, 2020, the number of beef replacement heifers was 18.4% of the beef cow inventory. This was down from the peak retention in 2016 of 21%, when herd expansion was in full force. Historically, the replacement heifer percentage drops below 18% during herd liquidation. Of course, producer plans can change during the year. The July inventory estimate for beef replacement heifers was unchanged from last year but is a low enough level to potentially suggest some herd liquidation.
Heifers not retained for breeding end up in the feedlot. On average, the number of heifers in feedlots in 2020 was down 1.1% year over year, with an Oct. 1 estimate that was about equal to one year ago. Heifer slaughter in 2020 is projected to be down about 3.6% year over year. Heifer slaughter as a percent of the cow inventory is not low enough to suggest herd expansion nor large enough to suggest significant liquidation. Taken together, the various heifer data seem to suggest mostly steady heifer retention, which could support a 2021 herd inventory either side of unchanged from 2020 levels.
Beef cow slaughter in 2020 is projected to be up about 2.6% year over year. This implies a net beef cow culling rate (beef cow slaughter as a percent of herd inventory) of 10.5%. Beef cow culling has increased from the record low level of 7.6% in 2015 when herd expansion was accelerated. Herd culling above 10% is consistent with modest levels of herd liquidation, though the current level is below the culling rates (typically above 11%) that indicate significant herd liquidation. The midyear cattle report pegged the beef cow inventory down 0.8% year over year, generally consistent with the cow slaughter data this year.
In total, the most likely scenario appears to be a beef cow herd on Jan. 1, 2021, in the range of unchanged to down 1% year over year. This would continue the slow slide in cattle numbers and general tightening of cattle and beef production in the coming year. Total 2021 cattle slaughter is forecast to be down about 1% leading to a year-over-year decrease in beef production of 1%-2%. Herd dynamics in 2021 could affect these forecasts. If herd liquidation should accelerate, the short-term impacts would be an increase in cattle slaughter due to more heifers and cows in the slaughter totals. Conversely, should the industry move to expand cattle inventories, cattle slaughter would be reduced with fewer heifers in feedlots and fewer cows culled. There is potential for either scenario. The cattle inventory trajectory in 2021 will depend on numerous factors, including control of the pandemic, U.S. macroeconomic conditions, global protein markets, drought conditions and feed prices, among others.
This originally appeared in the Dec. 28, 2020, OSU Cow/Calf Corner newsletter.
