Beef cow slaughter this year has improved considerably compared to a year ago. Through 33 weeks, beef cow slaughter totals 2.164 million head, or 14 percent lower year over year. Keep in mind that 2022 was the highest beef cow slaughter total in absolute terms since 1996. Compared to 2021, beef cow slaughter is still down, but only by 2 percent. Improved pasture and range conditions in the Western U.S. and some areas in the Southern Plains have helped moderate beef cow slaughter.
Regionally, some areas are still being impacted by drought conditions, which is reflected in the regional…
