Cow-Calf Corner | April 4, 2022
Meat Production and Consumption Decreasing
Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
Declining beef and pork production may offset increased broiler production and lead to a decrease in total meat production in 2022. The latest forecasts from the Livestock Marketing Information Center suggest that total red meat and poultry production will total 106.25 billion pounds, down slightly year over year. If realized, this would be the first decrease in total meat production following seven consecutive years of increasing production since 2014. Total 2022 per capita meat consumption is forecast at 222.4 pounds, down year over year from 224.2 pounds last year. Pork, broiler and beef production represent 94 percent of total meat production in the U.S. Most of the remaining 6 percent is turkey production, along with small totals of veal, other poultry, and sheep and lamb production.
Pork production is forecast to decrease to 27.19 billion pounds in 2022, down 1.8 percent year over year. The March Hogs and Pigs report showed that inventories of both market hogs and breeding hogs were down from last year. Per capita pork consumption is projected to be 50.3 pounds in 2022, down from 51.0 pounds last year. Pork exports are expected to decrease in 2022 on weaker exports to China. This will offset some of the decrease in production thus muting the decrease in domestic pork consumption.
Broiler chicken production is forecast to increase 2.3 percent in 2022 to a record 45.44 billion pounds. Per capita broiler consumption is projected to be 97.8 pounds this year, up from 96.4 pounds in 2021. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a threat to all poultry markets but has so far mostly impacted laying hens and turkeys. However, broiler export bans are already restricting exports and could expand further. HPAI could result in some reduction in broiler production, but export bans could result in more broiler meat being directed to the domestic market, thereby increasing domestic consumption even more.
Beef production in 2022 is forecast to decrease by 2.2 percent to 27.39 billion pounds, down from the record level of 28.01 billion pounds last year. Beef consumption is projected to be 57.2 pounds in 2022, down from 58.8 pounds last year. Declining beef cattle inventories will result in reduced cattle slaughter this year and declining beef production through the year. Beef exports are expected to decrease from the 2021 record levels.
High feed prices will impact all livestock industries and may moderate meat production going forward. Feed costs increased significantly in 2021 and will push even higher in the coming months. Beef will be additionally impacted by drought conditions and reduced production of pasture and hay. Drought may impact the timing of beef production with drought liquidation potentially increasing beef production temporarily but leading to a larger decline in beef supplies later.
Retail prices are high for all meats. Reported retail prices in February were up 14 to nearly 16 percent year over year for beef, pork and broilers. Meat prices are not expected to continue rising but may stabilize and hold near current higher levels.
Spring 2022 – Managing Replacement Heifers - Reproductive Tract Scoring
Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist
As follow up to last week. Another management tool available to producers currently making selection decisions on yearling heifers is Reproductive Tract Scoring (RTS). RTS is a subjective measurement which involves the rectal palpation of the heifer reproductive tract (uterine horns and ovarian structures) and the subsequent assignment of a reproductive tract score, ranging from 1 to 5 (1 = immature; 5 = presence of a corpus luteum), to assist the producer in making replacement heifer decisions. Since age at puberty is difficult to measure directly, RTS can estimate pubertal status, and if performed before the onset of the breeding season, can be a predictor of heifer reproductive performance allowing for heifers with a poor breeding potential to be removed from the breeding group before any further costs are incurred. The RTS system has been shown to a repeatable measure between and within practitioners and to be moderately heritable.
A RTS of 1 is refers to a prepubertal heifer, a RTS of 2 or 3 is refers to a peripubertal heifer (transitional stage), and a RTS of 4 or 5 is refers to a pubertal (cycling) heifer. The reproductive performance of heifers with an RTS of 1 or 2 is less than that of heifers with an RTS of 3 or greater. Heifers with a RTS of 1 or 2 are less likely to be cycling at the beginning of the breeding season and therefore are less likely to become pregnant or if they do become pregnant, do so later in the breeding season suggesting that heifers with a RTS of 1 should possibly be eliminated from the breeding group. It is worth mentioning, that some heifers do not exactly fit a particular RTS score and it is up to the producer and/or practitioner to decide on which of the measures are to be given the most emphasis.
RTS should be done about 1 month or less prior to breeding if the score is to be used as a culling tool as an indicator of a heifer's ability to conceive early during the first breeding season. If RTS is to be used as a selection tool to place pressure on age at puberty, the best time to evaluate the heifers is when approximately 50% of the heifers are thought to be cycling based on age, weight, and occasional observations for estrus.
Another possible application of the RTS system is to assess the nutritional program being utilized by the producer. If RTS is taken within a sufficient time before the start of the breeding season (approximately 30 to 60 days); based on the results of the tract scores, the producer can adjust the ration to help the heifers reach developmental goals prior to the beginning of the breeding season or the beginning of the breeding season can be adjusted.
If your heifers are a little behind schedule this spring, consult with your Veterinarian about RTS. It can be informative and beneficial in the selection process of yearling replacement heifers.
Reference: Stein, Dan. Reproductive Tract Scoring, Cow-Calf Corner, May 2021
Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle
Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist
Feed is a major cost input for all segments of the beef production chain. Feed efficiency is always a primary determinant of profitability, but when feed costs are high, it becomes even more important. We are most familiar with feed efficiency being expresses as the amount of feed required per pound of gain, or the ratio of Feed:Gain. There is considerable variation in feed intake by individuals above and below that is expected for the animal’s size and growth rate. Researchers have been using the concept of “Residual Feed Intake” to explore animal feed utilization and the efficiency of feed use. Residual Feed Intake or “RFI” is a measure of feed efficiency defined as the difference between an animal’s actual feed intake (either above or below) and the expected feed intake based on the growth rate of the animal. An animal with a positive RFI would consume more feed than expected for a given level of growth, and therefore is less efficient. While an animal with a negative RFI would consume less feed that expected for a given level of growth and is more efficient. Many breed associations have feed efficiency EPDs based on RFI to help select for more feed efficient cattle.
Different RFI has been tied to differences in nutrient digestibility, production of volatile fatty acids and methane in the rumen, feeding behavior, and differences in the microbial population in the digestive tract. Research from Texas, showed that steers and heifers with low RFI had 19% lower feed consumption with the same average daily gain. Feed digestibility (along with digestibility of protein and fiber) was increased by 4% and ruminal methane production was reduced by 14% in low RFI (or more efficient) cattle. Feeding behavior was also tied to RFI. In another study from Texas, low RFI steers had fewer and shorter bunk visits and meal events, but the key finding was that low RFI steers had less day-to-day variation in feed intake. More efficient steers (those with low RFI) have lower fasting heat production and thus lower maintenance energy requirements than less efficient steers (those with high RFI), thus less of the feed consumed is used for maintenance.
Stress and disposition have also been tied to performance of breeding and growing animals. Cortisol is a hormone associated with the fight or flight response, higher cortisol levels have been measured in animals with poor disposition (wilder cattle). Research conducted in Nebraska by Andrew Foote (now in our OSU Department of Animal and Food Sciences) found that while cortisol levels were not associated with feed intake, cattle with higher cortisol had lower average daily gain, higher feed:gain, and higher RFI (were less efficient). These findings point to mechanisms for improved efficiency of low RFI calves and can provide selection tools to help beef producers reduce costs and feed resource use.