Technology is a key factor in keeping beef
competitive in the consumer’s food basket.
Technology
improves the efficiency of beef production, reduces the
cost of production, improves the health and well-being
of beef cattle and contributes to maintaining the availability
of beef. It has a significant impact on the overall consistency,
quality and wholesomeness of beef, all of which lead to
providing the consumer with a consistent supply of beef
at an affordable
price. Key facts:
- Without the technological improvements of the
past 50 years, the total U.S. cattle herd required to produce
the
2004 beef supply would number more than 180 million animals
instead of the current 95 million head, which would have
major implications on land use and animal waste issues.
- At current stocking rates, 180 million head of cattle,
nearly twice today’s herd, would require additional
land area about equal to the combined acreage of Texas,
New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Kansas to provide
the additional
pasture and feed grains.
- Beef production per head of cattle
in the U.S. herd has increased by more than 80 percent
over the past 50 years,
making the US the most efficient beef producer in the
world.
- While decreasing resource use, cattlemen have increased
total beef production from 13.2 billion pounds to
27 billion pounds in the last 50 years.
- Beef quality has
improved while inflation-corrected retail prices
have decreased by over 25 percent in the
past 50 years.
- Pharmaceutical technology in the
feedlot has had a significant impact on the profitability
of the cow
calf
segment. Production
efficiencies in the feedlot have decreased the
cost of feed and other inputs, enabling the feedlot manager
to
pay more
for feeder cattle. A comparison of feeder steer
prices
vs. finished steer prices indicates that, over
time, feeder steer
price gains have increased more than finished
steer prices.
More 
|
Avery White Paper 
©
Copyright 2004. Growth Enhancement Technology Information Team.
All rights reserved.
