Page 15 - Oct22020

CATTLE SLAUGHTER Beef cow slaughter is up
continued from page 3 2.7% for the year-to-date as of
slaughter for the year to date late September. At the end of
was down 7.2% before slowly the first quarter, cumulative
beef cow slaughter was nearly
recovering through the sum-
mer and early fall. In the last 11% higher year-over-year. By
the end of the second quarter,
eight weeks, steer slaughter
in August and September has cumulative beef cow slaugh-
ter had decreased to roughly
been up 2.2% year-over-year.
Steer slaughter is projected to 3.5% higher than the previous
year. The year-over-year in-
increase 3.0 - 3.5% year-over-
year in the fourth quarter lead- crease slowed more in the third
quarter with beef cow slaugh-
ing to an annual total down
roughly 2.5% compared to last ter the past eight weeks un-
changed from last year. Beef
year.
In the first half of the year, cow slaughter is projected to be
cumulative heifer slaugh- roughly 2% above year ago lev-
ter was down 5.1%. In the els in the fourth quarter lead-
ing to an annual total beef cow
third quarter of the year, heif-
er slaughter was down 1.8% slaughter roughly 2.5% higher
year-over-year.
year-over-year leading to the
There are many dynamics
current year-to-date decrease in cattle slaughter markets in
of 3.9% year-over-year. Heif-
er slaughter is projected to be the fourth quarter that will
determine total slaughter for
down 2.0 – 2.5% year-over-year
in the fourth quarter. This the year. Current estimates
are for total annual 2020 cattle
would result in an annual heif-
er slaughter total down rough- slaughter to be down roughly
2.5% year-over-year. Carcass
ly 3.5% compared to 2019.
Dairy cow slaughter has weights for steers and heifers
decreased sharply since June are expected to be record large
leading to a year to date de- in 2020, with steer carcasses
exceeding 900 pounds for the
crease of 4.9% in late Septem-
ber. The year-over-year de- first time. Lower cattle slaugh-
ter and larger carcass weights
crease in dairy cow slaughter
since late May has been near- are projected to result in total
beef production close to un-
ly 9%. The rate of decrease is
expected to slow in the fourth changed from last year. Total
2020 commercial beef produc-
quarter and may be down
roughly three percent. Total tion is projected to be 27.1 –
27.3 billion pounds.
annual dairy cow slaughter
is expected to be down about
4.5% year-over-year.
DON’T WAIT ized mineral is also beneficial

continued from page 13 during winter, when rain, snow
and sleet are likely.
calving cows are entering their Putting together a winter
last trimester, when mineral re- supplementation plan requires
quirements are increasing for careful planning. Work with
the fetus, and cows are prepar- your nutritionist to develop a
ing to produce high-quality co- strategy that fits your forages
lostrum. and herd.
Select a quality mineral that
provides adequate levels of N.T. Cosby, Ph.D., is a cattle
macro- and microminerals to nutritionist at Purina Animal
support cows’ high winter re- Nutrition.
quirements. Using a weather-

USDA The Office of Special Counsel
continued from page 14 said it would close its file on the
matter once Perdue provided doc-
ple matter to you,” Perdue said umentation of his reimbursement
of Trump. “And that’s what’s im- to the federal treasury. It said if he
portant to me. And that’s what’s continues to engage in prohibited
gonna continue to happen — four political activity while secretary,
more years — if America gets out “we will consider such activity to
and votes for this man, Donald J. be a knowing and willful violation
Trump,” Perdue said, prompting of the law that will likely result in
those in the crowd to chant “four further action.”
more years.”