HAMMERED by drought for the past two years, the United States beef cattle herd has now fallen to levels not seen since 1951, an important annual US Department of Agriculture survey has found.
The annual cattle report issued overnight by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows there were 87.2 million head of cattle and calves on US farms as of January 1, the lowest level in 73 years (see graph).
Click on image for a larger view
The findings have large implications for the Australian export beef industry, both in terms of prospects for greater exports into the US in coming…
