Cattle Imports from Mexico

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

 

U.S. cattle and beef trade with Mexico has evolved a great deal over many years. Mexico became one of the major beef export destinations about 25 years ago. In the last dozen years, Mexico has become one of the major beef import sources for the U.S. as beef trade evolved from simply supplementing deficit beef production in Mexico to bilateral, product specific trade between the two countries.

 

One of the oldest components of U.S. beef industry trade with Mexico has been the importation of live cattle. Mexico's extensive range resources have provided the country with a comparative advantage in feeder cattle production for many years. Imports of Mexican cattle have averaged over 1 million head annually for the last 40 years. Figure 1 shows cattle imports from Mexico for the last eight years, which consisted of feeder cattle and just a handful of fed and breeding cattle. Feeder steers made up 80.7 percent of cattle imports with spayed heifers adding another 19.0 percent of total imports. Many of the Mexican cattle imports enter stocker programs in the U.S. prior to feedlot finishing, although some are placed in feedlots directly upon arrival in the U.S.

 

Figure 1. Cattle Imports from Mexico

 

In 2023, imports of cattle from Mexico increased 43 percent year over year. However, the large percentage increase was in comparison to the very low level in 2022. Imports of Mexican cattle in 2022 were the lowest since 2008. Flows of Mexican cattle into the U.S. market vary from year to year because of numerous factors in both countries including relative cattle numbers and cattle prices; beef market conditions; drought; and currency exchange rates.

 

Figure 1 also shows the annual imports of Mexican cattle as a percent of the U.S. calf crop. It is common to talk about trade flows in absolute values which do not provide any perspective relative to the U.S. market. Imports of Mexican cattle have averaged 3.2 percent of the U.S. calf crop for the past 25 years, ranging from 1.9 to 4.3 percent. Finally, it should be noted that the U.S. does export some live cattle to Mexico, mostly breeding animals. For the past 25 years, an average of 43,000 head have been exported annually, making cattle exports about 4.3 percent of the level of cattle imports from Mexico. In 2022, over 103,000 head of cattle were exported to Mexico, the highest total since 2002.

 

Derrell Peel, OSU Extension livestock marketing specialist, says the potential for more record prices will continue. He analyzes the resulting challenges for producers and how it all translates to consumers on SunUpTV from March 9, 2024.

 

 

Reducing Mature Weight and Increasing Cow Productivity

Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

 

The increasing mature weight of United States beef cows is concerning. Larger cows have higher nutrient requirements. Improving the efficiency, sustainability and profit potential of commercial cow calf production involves reducing feed costs while improving pounds of calf weaned. Reducing the mature weight of beef cows has a favorable impact on feed costs. Cumulative weight weaned throughout a cow's life in production is the result of total pounds of calves weaned and will be higher for cows that annually calve earlier, wean a healthy calf, and avoid being culled as a result of reproductive failure, unsoundness and bad disposition.

 

The Role of Selection and Mating

Mature cow size can be effectively controlled through sire selection. Mature cow weight is a high heritability trait with literature estimates ranging from 35 to 70%. Selection pressure applied to Mature Weight Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) in sire selection should be an effective means of changing mature weight.

 

Fertility is low in heritability with estimates ranging from 0 to 15%. Selection pressure, based on additive genetic merit alone, results in very slow progress in improving fertility. Fertility is more largely influenced by nutritional environment and non-additive genetic merit. Non-additive genetic merit (or gene combination value) is the result of mating decisions. The mating decision to crossbreed generates hybrid vigor (or heterosis) because of the gene combination value created by combining alleles from two (or more) different breeds at loci across the genome. Considerable research by various State Agriculture Experiment Stations and the USDA has clearly demonstrated the potential for increasing beef cow productivity through crossbreeding. Accumulated experimental data indicates pounds of calf weaned per cow can be increased by as much as 25% in well designed, systematic crossbreeding programs involving Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn. Approximately half of this increase in total production is dependent upon use of the crossbred cow to take advantage of heterosis for fertility, reproductive fitness, longevity and maternal performance.

 

Crossbreeding is a mating system that provides the commercial producer the opportunity to increase the cumulative weight weaned throughout a cow's lifetime in production. A well-planned crossbreeding system requires a high level of management to reap maximum benefits. The same breeding principles should be applied to the selection of breeding stock for a crossbreeding program that would be used for a purebred program. In both cases, the use of genetically superior breeding stock will result in offspring with better performance levels. Once the decision has been made as to which breeds to include in a crossbreeding program, selection pressure should be applied based on the additive genetic merit (EPDs) of traits of primary economic importance.

 

Bottomline

Improving mature cow size and productivity can be accomplished in tandem through selection and mating decisions. Sire selection can be an effective means to reduce the mature size of a cowherd. Total pounds of calf weaned during the productive lifetime of a cow can be improved by a well-planned crossbreeding system.

 

References:

Snelling, W.M.; Thallman, R.M.; Spangler, M.L.; Kuehn, L.A. Breeding Sustainable Beef Cows: Reducing Weight and Increasing Productivity. Animals 2022, 12, 1745.

 

Brinks, J.S.; Clark, R.T.; Kieffer, N.M.; Quesenberry, J.R. Mature Weight in Hereford Range Cows - Heritability, Repeatability, and Relationship to Calf Performance. Journal of Animal Science 1962, Volume 21, Issue 3.

 

Evans, J.; McPeake, C.A.; Crossbreeding Beef Cattle. OSU Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet AFS-3150

 

Mark Johnson, OSU Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, compares the expected progeny differences of bulls to help cattle producers improve their bottom line On SunUpTV from March 16, 2024.

 

 

Farm and Ranch Injuries

Barry Whitworth, DVM, Senior Extension Specialist, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

 

Service In January, I attended the Oklahoma Veterinary Conference. While waiting for one of the sessions to start, a classmates of mine made the comment of how many of the attendees walk with a limp, used a cane, and/or have damaged hands. We all agreed that working with animals is hard on the body. In general, anything associated with farming and ranching is dangerous.

 

Most farmers and ranchers know that agriculture is a dangerous occupation. According to United States Bureau of Statistics, workers involved in agriculture, forestry, and fishing had the highest occupational fatality rate in 2022. The fatality rate of 23.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers for this group is much higher when compared to the overall occupation fatality rate of 3.7 per 100,000 FTE. Most of the agriculture related fatalities are associated with transportation such as tractor overturns and vehicle crashes, but a fair number involve livestock.

 

Livestock accounts for a significant amount of human injury and deaths. A survey of seven states in the central United States (US) found livestock were a frequent cause of injury. One survey found cattle accounted for almost one third of the injuries. In another survey, cattle were responsible for 36% of the fatalities. With their unpredictability and enormous power, bulls can be extremely dangerous. One study reported 261 attacks on people with 149 reported as fatalities and 112 as injuries.

 

Most victims of cattle incidents are struck, trampled, gored, and/or kicked. The most common types of injuries are contusions, fractures, and lacerations involving the lower and upper extremities. More severe injuries are related to head trauma, internal damage, and crushing injuries.

 

Many factors play a part in causing injuries and fatalities. One survey found that the age of the victim was significant. Groups with younger people were at higher risk of injury when compared to older ranchers. This may be due to human error and overconfidence of the handler as was pointed out in one report as a cause of injury and death. However, medical conditions such as hearing loss and arthritis, which are more common in older people, can play a role in being injured. These conditions may restrict a person's ability to move out of danger or hear activities that may warn them to move. This relates to another reported risk factor of individuals working alone. It is reported that one third of the fatalities occur when no one else is present. Another interesting fact associated with fatalities is that one third of the deaths were caused by animals that had previously shown aggressive behavior. It is wise to cull aggressive animals.

 

Another factor to consider is facilities. Several studies indicated that cattle equipment, housing, and working facilities contributed to injuries. This was especially important in bull incidents. Unfortunately, over 40% of cattlemen in one survey reported that they do not think their facilities are safe but hesitate to improve them. The reasons given include the cost of new equipment, satisfaction with the current facility, and lack of both time and knowledge on how to build a new facility.

 

Most if not all injuries and fatalities caused by livestock can be prevented. Livestock producers can reduce the risk of injury by studying animal behavior, by using proper handling techniques, and by using equipment correctly. Beef Quality Assurance as well as many other groups provide training in animal behavior and low stress cattle handling. Facilities and equipment are costly, but when designed and used correctly, accidents are reduced. Individuals need to protect themselves by wearing proper footwear, clothing, and head and eye protection. Also, many accidents happen when farmers and ranchers work alone. A partner present to keep watch may prevent an injury. Lastly, producers need to recognize their limits. When animals are involved, overconfidence will get someone hurt.

 

From a personal standpoint, I have had my share of incidents. I have been bitten, scratched, clawed, trampled, tossed around, mashed, and crushed by a variety of them. All of the incidents were the result of overconfidence, human error, lack of knowledge, and poor equipment and facilities. My life's experiences are the same as many other farmers and ranchers. We all have one life to live, so we all need to take better care of ourselves.

 

For additional information on livestock safety, producers should visit their Oklahoma State University County Extension Agriculture Educator.

 

References available on request

 

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