Tag: cattle

April 14, 2011 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Brazilian company JBS dominates world beef industry from farm to fork

The founder, who began by slaughtering one or two head a day in 1953, raises calves far in the countryside. Six of his children are in JBS’s management. And ranchers such as Edson Crochiquia, who is 69 but rounds up cattle on horseback near here, spare no detail to provide the company with healthy, 1,000-pound animals.

Even a decade ago, JBS was still mainly focused on selling in Brazil. But by acquiring American giants such as Swift and Pilgrim’s Pride, JBS grew from a $1 billion private company into a $40 billion behemoth that slaughters 90,000 head of cattle a day, employs 125,000 workers and exports to 150 countries.

JBS is now the world’s biggest provider of meat, its footprint felt by feedlots, packing plants and chicken processors from Argentina to Italy to the American Midwest.

In Brazil, it is not uncommon to find banks, steel mills and other companies that evolved from family businesses into global giants. But JBS stands out, using an alliance with Brazil’s development bank and an aggressive acquisition strategy to become a vital pillar of the country’s efforts to project its economic power abroad.

To Wesley Batista, JBS’s 40-year-old chief executive and the founder’s fourth child, the company is still run “a simple way,” using a management model without “a lot of layers, not a lot of fancy things, not a lot of time spent on PowerPoint presentations.”

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January 1, 2011 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Rare panda cow born on farm near Campion – Reporter-Herald, Loveland, Colo.

By Tom Hacker

It is safe to say that Ben is the last miniature panda cow born anywhere in 2010.

In fact, he has few peers, being a calf and one of only 24 of the scarce breed in the world.

At just after 8 a.m. Friday, on a farm east of Campion, Ben entered the world after mother Bella, a lowline Angus cow, spent a zero-degree night in labor in her stall.

Two hours later, still wet and shivering, the tiny calf snuggled against his diminutive mother.

“We’ll get him bundled up pretty soon,” said Chris Jessen, who has miniature donkeys, other miniature cattle breeds and even a wallaby — a miniature kangaroo — on his hobby farm.

“We’ve got a regular petting zoo, here,” wife Pam Jessen said.

It could have been even more so, with the Jessens having explored the idea of raising reindeer, and even camels, on their acreage.

Ben’s namesake is Chris Jessen’s brother, also born on New Year’s Eve.

“He was the first person I called this morning,” he said.

The miniature panda cow is the result of 44 years of genetic manipulation by Richard Gradwohl, a farmer in Covington, Wash., about 20 miles southeast of Seattle.

A white belt encircling the animal’s midsection, and the white face with black ovals around the eyes, give the cow an appearance that is very much panda-like.

“We had a Chinese delegation visit our farm, and they were fascinated,” Gradwohl said in a telephone interview Friday. “They want them in China, so we’re going to be exporting.”

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November 22, 2010 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Rain does little to ease drought

The statewide drought appears to be easing as cooler La Nina conditions bring more rain to Hawaii, according to the National Weather Service.

But farmers and ranchers said a protracted amount of rain is needed before they can recover from several years of extremely dry conditions.

Some areas, such as southwestern Kauai and leeward sections of the Big Island and Maui, did not receive significant rainfall in October, continuing extreme drought conditions, National Weather Service officials said Friday.

Late Thursday, thunderstorms along with lightning passed by Hawaii, and most of the anticipated heavy rainfall missed the islands.

The weather service reported 0.15 inches of rain Thursday at Honolulu Airport and 0.6 inches at Lihue Airport but none for airports in Hilo and Kahului.

In October, while many places reported less than normal rainfall, some areas exceeded their normal monthly average, including Haiku on Maui with 5.71 inches — 12 percent above normal — and Honaunau on the Big Island with 5.54 inches of rain, 7 percent above normal.

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November 17, 2010 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Parker Ranch seeing green profitable

Profits rise despite drought, economy After a rough 2008, much ground regained Wise investments offset losses
After two years of multimillion dollar losses, Parker Ranch Foundation Trust made money last year and now wants to raise more by hosting special events at its Waimea rodeo arena.

Revenues and net assets were up in 2009, while operating costs were reduced by the trust, which owns Parker Ranch, one of the nation’s oldest and largest cattle ranches.

However, cattle sales remained in the red, while several other income sources were down in 2009 compared with the prior year, according to the trust’s recently released 2009 annual report.

“Global events have continued to raise uncertainty about the economic outlook, and the drought in West Hawaii has exacerbated the local challenges for the Big Island ranching community,” the five trustees wrote in the document. “Nonetheless, Parker Ranch Foundation Trust has accomplished a great deal during the last year.”

Chief among them was going from an $18 million operating loss in 2008 to a $5.1 million profit last year. That financial turnaround helped boost total assets to $283.8 million by year’s end, up $5 million from the close of 2008.

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September 27, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Hawaii subsidies cut for livestock feed | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

honadv

Loss of assistance from state deals another blow to shrinking industry

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

The state has spent about $3.8 million since November 2007 on a program aimed at revitalizing Hawai’i’s struggling livestock industry and improving the state’s self-sufficiency.

Despite the cash infusion, Hawai’i’s livestock industry has continued to shrink.

Now those subsidies, which were scheduled to run through 2010, have been canceled because of the state’s budget shortfall.

That doesn’t bode well for livestock producers.

The subsidies "stopped some of the decline," said David "Buddy" Nobriga, president of Nobriga’s Ranch, which is a cattle feedlot in Waikapu Town on Maui.

Nobriga’s Ranch received $83,616 in feed subsidies, according to state records. Without the subsidies, "We’ve got to tighten up our belts and see if we can survive," Nobriga said.

Although Hawai’i’s farm sector remains relatively small compared with the $12 billion tourism industry, agriculture plays an important role in diversifying the state economy, preserving greenbelt lands and reducing the Islands’ dependence on imported food. The loss of food-producing livestock businesses makes Hawai’i more dependent on the Mainland and other sources to meet basic needs.

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September 5, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Agricultural inspector layoffs slammed – The Maui News

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KAHULUI – Environmentalists and farmers lashed out Thursday night at the announced layoffs of state agricultural inspectors, arguing that the move planned by the Lingle administration would uproot efforts to preserve the island’s agricultural industry and pristine environment.

Close to 100 people turned out at a Senate Ad Hoc Committee meeting held in the Maui Waena Intermediate School cafeteria. The crowd applauded those who spoke against the layoffs, some even attacking Gov. Linda Lingle.

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August 6, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW

Here is the complete PDF file for the Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review Report.
CLICK HERE for Livestock Report
Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

   I own this pasture, bother you?
“HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/ and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review Partial Summary

June Egg Production Down 5 Percent
From A Year Ago

Hawaii egg production totaled 5.70 million (15,833 cases) in June 2009, down 5 percent from June 2008 due to a 3 percent decline in layers on hand and a 2 percent reduction in the rate of lay per 1,000 layers.

Cumulative egg production for the first half of 2009 totaled 34.80 million, down 7 percent from the same period a year ago.

Cattle Marketings Increased 3 Percent In June

Cattle marketings (sum of exports and local slaughter) totaled 3,900 head for June 2009, up 3 percent from May’s revised total of 3,800 head. Exports accounted for 77 percent of June’s total marketings with steers making up 53 percent of the exported cattle. Local slaughter totaled 900 head killed in June 2009, unchanged from May.

Cumulative cattle marketings for the first half of 2009 totaled 23,600 head, down 20 percent compared to the first six months of last year. Cattle exports were down 24 percent so far this year compared to last year while local slaughter was down 2 percent from a year ago.

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October 4, 2007 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

Here is the PDF file for the *Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review *Report.

lvstk100207.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

“HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

August Egg Production Down 17 Percent From A Year Ago
Hawaii egg production totaled 6.8 million (18,889 cases) in August 2007, down 17 percent from August 2006. The average number of layers on hand during August 2007 was estimated at 368,000, down fractionally from July 2007 and down 14 percent from August 2006. The average rate of lay during August 2007 was 1,848 per 100 layers (59.6 percent rate of lay), down 3 percent from August 2006.

August Cattle Marketings Up 12 Percent From 2006
Total cattle marketings for August 2007 is estimated at 3,800 head, up 12 percent from August 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first eight months of 2007 totaled 35,500 head, down 2 percent from the same period a year ago.

August exports up 13 percent from a year ago
Exports of steers and heifers totaled 2,700 head in August 2007, up 13 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 1,100 head during August 2007, down 31 percent compared to a year ago. Total export of heifers increased in August 2007 to 1,600 head, double the amount of heifers exported a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers and heifers through August 2007 totaled 28,100 head, down 3 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 15,800 head, down 8 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers were 2 percent ahead of a year ago for the first seven months of 2007 at 12,200 head. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Average live weight tops 430 pounds
The average live weight of steers and heifers exported from Hawaii in August 2007 was 433 pounds, up 4 percent from August 2006?s average live weight of 418 pounds.

Commercial Beef Production Down Fractionally From Year Ago
Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during August 2007 totaled 609,000 pounds, down fractionally from August 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) through August 2007 totaled 4.3 million pounds, up 4 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 1,100 head in August, up 10 percent from August 2006. Average live weight per head was 1,045 pounds in August 2007, down 6 percent from the average live weight per head in August 2006.

Commercial Pork Production Down 11 Percent
Hawaii commercial pork production during August 2007 totaled 298,000 pounds, down 11 percent from August 2006. Cumulative pork production for the first eight months of 2007 totaled 2.3 million pounds, down 10 percent from a year ago. Total hog kill was 1,900 head in August 2007, down 5 percent from a year ago. Average live weight per head was 209 pounds in August 2007, down 7 percent from the 224-pound average a year ago.

Milk Cows and Milk Production

August Milk Production Down 48 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s dairy cows produced 2.5 million pounds of milk in August 2007, down 48 percent from a year ago. Cumulative milk production for the first eight months of 2007 totaled 26.8 million pounds, down 33 percent from the same period in 2006.

August?s Cow Herd Down 36 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s cow herd, both dry and milking, numbered 2,700 head in August 2007, unchanged from July 2007 but down 36 percent from August 2006.

Milk Per Cow Decreases
Average milk per cow is estimated at 940 pounds for August 2007, down 18 percent from last August?s average of 1,145 pounds per cow.

Average Farm Prices

Livestock Farm Prices Generally Higher Than Year-ago Averages

Steers and heifers
The average dress weight farm price for steers and heifers is estimated at $1.00 per pound for August 2007, up half-a-cent from July and a penny per pound higher than a year ago.

Cows
The average dress weight farm price for cows is estimated at 54.0 cents per pound in August 2007, down a penny from July. The August average dress weight farm was identical to that of a year ago.

Market hogs
The average dress weight farm price for market hogs is estimated at $1.25 per pound for August 2007, unchanged from July 2007. Compared to a year ago, the dressed weight for market hogs was down 4.5 cents per pound this August.

Milk
The average farm price for milk was $29.90 per hundredweight during August 2007, unchanged from July 2007. Compared to a year ago, the August 2007 average farm price for milk was $3.50 per hundredweight higher.

Eggs
The average farm price for a dozen eggs was 98.0 cents in August 2007, down 7.0 cents from July 2007. Compared to a year ago, the average farm price for a dozen eggs was up 4.50 cents in August 2007.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.33 billion pounds in August, up 2 percent from the 4.26 billion pounds produced in August 2006.

Beef production, at 2.45 billion pounds, was slightly above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 3.13 million head, down slightly from August 2006. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 1,279 pounds.

Veal production totaled 10.3 million pounds, 20 percent below August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 65,400 head, down 2 percent from August 2006. The average live weight was down 54 pounds from last year, at 268 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.85 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.39 million head, up 3 percent from August 2006. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 263 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 14.7 million pounds, was up 1 percent from August 2006. Sheep slaughter totaled 227,500 head, slightly above last year. The average live weight was 129 pounds, unchanged from August a year ago.

U.S. egg production totaled 7.57 billion during August 2007, down 1 percent from last year. Production included 6.44 billion table eggs, and 1.13 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.07 billion were broiler-type and 65 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during August 2007 averaged 339 million, down 1 percent from last year. August egg production per 100 layers was 2,229 eggs, down slightly from August 2006.

All layers in the U.S. on September 1, 2007 totaled 339 million, down 1 percent from last year. The 339 million layers consisted of 281 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 55.9 million layers producing broilertype hatching eggs, and 2.73 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on September 1, 2007, averaged 71.7 eggs per 100 layers, down 1 percent from September 1, 2006.

Excerpts from Livestock Slaughter (September 21, 2007) and Chickens and Eggs (September 21, 2007) releases.

Beef/cattle: Weather is still the dominant feature in the cattle/beef industry landscape. Some precipitation fell in the Southwest, Southeast, and Corn Belt, providing some relief for grain and hay crops and pastures. However, hay and other supplemental feeding continues in these areas, and beef cows continue to be sold as a result.

Pork/hogs: The fourth quarter pork export forecast was raised by 60 million pounds, following an announcement by a major U.S. packer of a sales agreement with China, to take place by December 2007. Total U.S. pork exports in 2007 are expected to be 2.97 billion pounds, about 0.8 percent lower than in 2006. U.S. pork exports next year are expected to be almost 3.1 billion pounds, or 3.8 percent above 2007. July 2007 exports to China and Hong Kong, combined, offset year-over-year declines in shipments to major U.S. foreign pork markets. Second-half production is expected to be about 11.1 billion pounds, about 3.4 percent above a year earlier, with live equivalent prices of 51-52 percent lean hogs expected to average between $50 and $51 per cwt in the third quarter, and $45 and $47 per hundredweight (cwt) in the fourth quarter. Commercial pork production next year is expected to be about 22.1 billion pounds, about 100 million pounds larger than forecast last month. The increased production forecast largely reflects revised expectations for U.S. swine imports from Canada, both in the second half of 2007 and in 2008.

Dairy: Domestic demand for dairy products, especially cheese, combined with global demand and tight world supplies, will keep milk and dairy product prices high this year and next. The upturn in milk production will moderate 2008 prices somewhat compared with 2007.

Poultry: Broiler meat production continues to slowly expand. The slow expansion and strengthening exports have allowed prices for most broiler products to remain considerably higher than in the previous year. The generally higher prices are expected to continue through the second half of 2007 and into 2008. Although turkey production and stocks of whole birds have been above a year earlier, prices for whole turkeys are expected to remain higher than the previous year through the third quarter. With a small laying flock and a strong export market, egg prices are expected to range from $1.14 to $1.15 per dozen at the wholesale level in the third quarter and to continue higher than the previous year in the fourth quarter.

September 13, 2007 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW

Here is the PDF file for the Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review Report.

lvstk091307.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

“HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

National Agricultural Statistics Service

September 13, 2007

In Cooperation with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Hawaii Field Office ? 1428 South King Street ? Honolulu, HI 96814-2512 ? 1-(800)-804-9514 ? www.nass.usda.gov

July Egg Production Down 19 Percent From A Year Ago
Hawaii egg production totaled 7.0 million (19,444 cases) in July 2007, down 19 percent from July 2006. The average number of layers on hand during July 2007 was estimated at 369,000, up fractionally from June 2007 and down 16 percent from July 2006. The average rate of lay during July 2007 was 1,897 per 100 layers (61.2 percent rate of lay), down 3 percent from July 2006.

Total Cattle Marketings and Exports

Cattle Marketings Up 31 Percent From 2006
Total cattle marketings for July 2007 is estimated at 3,800 head, up 31 percent from July 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 31,700 head, down 3 percent from the same period a year ago.

Exports up 40 percent in July compared to year ago
Exports of steers and heifers totaled 2,800 head in July 2007, up 40 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 1,400 head during July 2007, up 17 percent compared to a year ago. Total export of heifers also increased in July 2007 compared to a year ago at 1,400 head, a 75 percent increase. Cumulative exports of steers and heifers through July 2007 totaled 25,300 head, down 5 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 14,700 head, down 5 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers were also down 5 percent for the first seven months of 2007 at 10,600 head. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Average live weight up 2 percent
The average live weight of steers and heifers exported from Hawaii in July 2007 was 428 pounds, up 2 percent from July 2006?s average live weight of 420 pounds.

Cattle and Hogs Commercial Slaughter

Commercial Beef Production Down 4 Percent
Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during July 2007 totaled 516,000 pounds, down 4 percent from July 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) through July 2007 totaled 3.7 million pounds, up 5 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 900 head in July, unchanged from July 2006. Average live weight per head was 1,023 pounds in July 2007, down 4 percent from the average live weight per head in July 2006. Commercial Pork Production Down 10 Percent
Hawaii commercial pork production during July 2007 totaled 291,000 pounds, down 10 percent from July 2006. Cumulative pork production for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 2.0 million pounds, down 10 percent from a year ago. Total hog kill was 1,800 head in July 2007, down 5 percent from a year ago. Average live weight per head was 211 pounds in July 2007, down 9 percent from the 232-pound average a year ago.

Milk Cows and Milk Production

July Milk Production Down 48 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s dairy cows produced 2.6 million pounds of milk in July 2007, down 48 percent from a year ago. Cumulative milk production for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 24.3 million pounds, down 31 percent from the same period in 2006.

July?s Cow Herd Down 37 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s cow herd, both dry and milking, numbered 2,700 head in July 2007, unchanged from June 2007 and down 37 percent from July 2006.

Milk Per Cow Decreases
Average milk per cow is estimated at 1,000 pounds for July 2007, down 14 percent from last July?s average of 1,165 pounds per cow.

Average Farm Prices

Most July Livestock Prices Above Year-ago Averages

Steers and heifers
The average dress weight farm price for steers and heifers is estimated at 99.5 cents per pound for July 2007, up half-a-cent from June and 1.5 cents per pound higher than a year ago.

Cows
The average dress weight farm price for cows is estimated at 55.0 cents per pound in July 2007, unchanged from June. Compared to a year ago, the average dress weight farm price for cows was 3.0 cents per pound higher in July 2007.

Market hogs
The average dress weight farm price for market hogs is estimated at $1.25 per pound for July 2007, 8 cents per pound higher than June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the dressed weight for market hogs was down 5.0 cents per pound this July.

Milk
The average farm price for milk was $29.90 per hundredweight during July 2007, up $2.20 from June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the July 2007 average farm price for milk was $5.00 per hundredweight higher.

Eggs
The average farm price for a dozen eggs was $1.05 in July 2007, up 1 percent from June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the average farm price for a dozen eggs was up 8 percent in July.

U.S. Livestock Roundup

NASS

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.94 billion pounds in July, up 4 percent from the 3.79 billion pounds produced in July 2006.

Beef production, at 2.26 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.90 million head, up 2 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was down 4 pounds from the previous year, at 1,269 pounds.

Veal production totaled 10.7 million pounds, 5 percent below July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 62,600 head, up 8 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was down 36 pounds from last year, at 289 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.66 billion pounds, up 7 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.40 million head, up 7 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 264 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.5 million pounds, was up 2 percent from July 2006. Sheep slaughter totaled 204,700 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, up 1 pound from July a year ago.

U.S. egg production totaled 7.57 billion during July 2007, down 1 percent from last year. Production included 6.44 billion table eggs, and 1.14 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.07 billion were broiler-type and 66 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during July 2007 averaged 339 million, down 1 percent from last year. July egg production per 100 layers was 2,234 eggs, down slightly from July 2006.

All layers in the U.S. on August 1, 2007 totaled 340 million, down slightly from last year. The 340 million layers consisted of 281 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 56.2 million layers producing broilertype hatching eggs, and 2.72 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on August 1, 2007, averaged 72.1 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from August 1, 2006.

Excerpts from Livestock Slaughter (August 24, 2007) and Chickens and Eggs (August 21, 2007) releases.

ERS – ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE

Cattle/Beef: NASS? Cattle report showed virtually all July 1, 2007 inventories down from July 1, 2006. The report indicates that cattle inventory growth has stalled, at best, or peaked, at worst, for the cattle cycle that first expanded in 2005, up from a cyclical low cattle and calf inventory of 103.6 million head on July 1, 2004 (including a low total cow inventory of 42.4 million head). The last cycle with a short expansion phase occurred during the cycle that began from a low point on January 1, 1979, peaked in 1982 after only 3 years of cattle inventory expansion, and ended at a low point in 1990 after 8 years of liquidation. As a result, beef production could be below 26 billion pounds for 2008 and 2009, which would be slightly below 2007 production, and will depend on average dressed weights and breeding heifer retention.

Hogs and Pork: Third-quarter commercial pork production is expected to be almost 5.3 billion pounds, about 3.2 percent above third quarter last year. Thirdquarter prices of live equivalent 51-52 percent lean hogs are forecast to range between $50 and $52 per hundredweight (cwt). Pork exports in the first half of 2007 were 4 percent lower than a year ago.

Dairy: Global demand for dairy products, especially nonfat dry milk, butter, and whey, will likely keep prices high this year and next despite increased domestic production in 2008.

Poultry: After falling in the first and second quarters, broiler meat production is expected to increase on a year-over-year basis in the second half of 2007. Prices for broiler products are expected to moderate as production increases. Turkey meat production continues to grow, but strong domestic demand and exports have kept stocks low and prices above those of the previous year.

Sheep and Lamb: The USDA Sheep and Goats report released on July 20, 2007 indicated a decline in inventories. On July 1, 2007, the U.S. sheep and lamb inventory totaled 7.73 million head, down slightly from 2006, but still about 1 percent above the July 1, 2004 bottom. Slight inventory reductions were seen in all of the major categories: breeding sheep, market sheep, and replacement lambs. Heavier-than-normal liquidation continues to take place in Texas and New Mexico, the region hit by severe drought in 2006. Despite these declines, the 2007 lamb crop showed year-over-year increases.

Excerpt from Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook/LDP-M- 158/August 20, 2007 Economic Research Service, USDA.