Page 19 - MWC 3-9-2023s

heifers 500 pounds and over in the slaughter mix is an- locations with The Midwest Cattleman · March 9, 2023 · P19

were estimated at 9.7 million ticipated to be greater in the numerous others
head, down 322,300 head first half of 2023 than antic- listed as severe
from 2022. It was further ipated last month. Although in the central
noted in the Cattle report more cows in the slaughter and northern
that the number of all cattle mix will likely keep pressure Plains and the
on feed was estimated at 14.2 on average carcass weights, West (Figure
million head, down 537,300 severe winter weather condi- 2). Each loca-
head from last year. As a re- tions have also played a fac- tion has its own
sult, fewer feeder cattle sup- tor in lighter dressed weights index value, and
plies were available on Jan. early in the year. Based on the locations
1, 2023, 724,000 head lower data from the Midwest Re- that are desig-
at 25.3 million head, the few- gional Climate Center, the nated severe and
est to start the year since Accumulated Winter Sea- extreme repre-
2015. son Severity Index (AWSSI) continued on
2023 beef production shows extreme winter at 29 page 20
raised on higher cow
slaughter
Beef production in 2022 PARAMOUNT
is estimated at 28.3 billion
pounds, up over 1% from
2021. Total cattle slaughter
was up over 1%, which more
than offsets a slight decline Elevate to a more valuable female.
in average dressed weights.
The increase in slaughter
was primarily driven by a For over a decade, Red Angus females have
higher percentage of cows commanded more at auction than all other breeds,
in the slaughter mix, which including Angus. According to Superior Livestock data,
most likely pressured aver- Red Angus heifers brought nearly $17/cwt more –
age dressed weights down-
ward even as fed cattle ex- that equates to a $92/head premium
perienced optimal feeding on a weaned replacement female.
conditions last year.
Based on the most recent
U.S. Drought Monitor data, To learn more about
the effects of drought on industry-leading
livestock and crop produc-
ers continue. However, since stayability, visit
peaking in late October 2022 RedAngus.org
when 76% of the cattle in-
ventory was experiencing
drought, conditions have im-
proved. For the week ending
Jan. 31, 2023, 55% of the herd
was in an area of drought
compared to 53% on Feb. 1,
2022. Given existing low hay
stocks, the current drought
exposure supported contin-
ued high beef cow slaughter
in early 2023.
The latest NASS Cattle on
Feed report showed a Jan. 1
feedlot inventory of 11.682
million head, about 3% below
12.037 million head in the
same month last year. Feed-
lot net placements in De-
cember were more than 8%
lower year over year at 1.75
million head. Marketings in
December were 1.741 million
head, down more than 6%
year over year. On Jan. 1, the
number of cattle on feed over
150 days was up 2% above
year-ago levels, likely on the
slower reported pace of mar-
ketings in December.
As noted, the share of cows