CATTLE PRODUCTIONCATTLE PRODUCTIONDOWNSIZING IN THE WAKE OF SHIFTING DOWNSIZING IN THE WAKE OF SHIFTING CONSUMER INTERESTSCONSUMER INTERESTS

CATTLE PRODUCTIONCATTLE PRODUCTION

• Calculated and constantCalculated and constant

• Uniform breeds of cattle designed to thrive in Uniform breeds of cattle designed to thrive in their environmentstheir environments

• The Texas Beefmaster is one of the state’s The Texas Beefmaster is one of the state’s biggest contributions to the industry.biggest contributions to the industry.

MORE INFO ON THE MORE INFO ON THE BEEFMASTER BEEFMASTER

• In 1931, Tom Lasater In 1931, Tom Lasater began developing began developing Beefmasters in San Beefmasters in San Angelo, TexasAngelo, Texas

• In 1954, the United In 1954, the United States Department of States Department of Agriculture recognized Agriculture recognized Beefmasters as a pure Beefmasters as a pure beef breedbeef breed

THE BEEFMASTER BREED IS DEFINED BY THE BEEFMASTER BREED IS DEFINED BY THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICSTHE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS

• • • FertilityFertility

• • • DispositionDisposition

• • • WeightWeight

• • • ConformationConformation

• • • HardinessHardiness

• • • Milk ProductionMilk Production

Methane Methane AwarenessAwareness

• 250-500 liters of methane a 250-500 liters of methane a dayday

• Cattle diets changingCattle diets changing

• Research and development Research and development still varied, but improving.still varied, but improving.

What about What about the Animals?the Animals?

- Mistreatment of animals in Mistreatment of animals in production production

- Widespread outrageWidespread outrage

- Improvement to treatment Improvement to treatment of animals means “ Treat of animals means “ Treat the cows well and they will the cows well and they will take care of you” take care of you” (Petrinovich)(Petrinovich)

Economic Economic DeclinesDeclines• 1 in 7 people in Texas 1 in 7 people in Texas

has an agricultural has an agricultural related job (14%)related job (14%)

• Cattle Production is a Cattle Production is a billion dollar industry billion dollar industry

• Continued decline will Continued decline will cause strain on not cause strain on not only the people of only the people of Texas but the state as Texas but the state as a wholea whole

The The EnvironmentEnvironment

• Examination of Methane production under extreme scrutinyExamination of Methane production under extreme scrutiny

• Ranchers taking to other outlet such as crop production vs. cattle Ranchers taking to other outlet such as crop production vs. cattle

• Argument still exist on what is Argument still exist on what is more harmful methane or your dailymore harmful methane or your daily dose of pesticide, herbicide,dose of pesticide, herbicide, and soil erosionand soil erosion

• Does it really makeDoes it really make a difference Crops Vs. Cattlea difference Crops Vs. Cattle

Growth in Texas Commodity Sales 1990-1999

Type Agricultural Commodity

1990 Texas Agricultural Cash Receipts ($000)

1999 Texas Agricultural Cash Receipts ($000)

Percent Change

Ag Related* $829,050 $1,658,480 100%

Cotton $1,695,937 $1,417,038 -16%

Feed Crops $1,244,456 $1,601,471 29%

Food Grains $499,523 $467,257 -6%

Fruits and Nuts

$98,483 $153,987 56%

Vegetable Crops

$386,072 $430,866 12%

Oil Crops $232,851 $260,846 12%

Misc. Crops** $669,543 $1,255,676 88%

Beef $5,287,962 $5,291,460 0%

Milk $770,784 $799,244 4%

Sheep, Goats, Hogs

$186,318 $257,424 38%

Poultry $773,121 $937,575 21%

*Includes: aquaculture, fishing, furs and pelts, horses, hunting, recreation, timber, Christmas trees, and exotic animals. **Includes: alfalfa, castors, clover seed, cowpeas, guar, nursery, sugar cane, sugar beets, vetch seed. Sources: Texas Agricultural Extension Service and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Consumer Consumer InterestInterest

• ““Ouch” said the Ouch” said the pocketbook!pocketbook!

• Increase of 2.3% at Increase of 2.3% at restaurants in Texasrestaurants in Texas

• Continued increase Continued increase in the next year of in the next year of 4-5%4-5%

• Increased caused by Increased caused by drought, and drought, and increased imports increased imports due to lack of due to lack of production. production.

In the End…In the End…

• Selective Selective Breeding Breeding make for make for

better meatbetter meat

• Methane Methane ImprovementImprovement

• Better animal Better animal carecare

• Job loss & Job loss & billion dollar billion dollar

industry goneindustry gone

• Environmental Environmental Crop vs. CattleCrop vs. Cattle

• Consumer Consumer Interest Interest