“Returns this year will not cover the total economic costs for most cow-calf operations,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), in the most recent Livestock Monitor. “While estimated costs of production have decreased slightly in 2016, based on cheaper fuel, feed, and slight drops in pasture cost, it has not been enough to offset declining calf prices.”

LMIC forecasts fourth-quarter calf prices this fall to be about 25% less than last year. As of late September, LMIC estimated cow-calf returns this year (return over cash costs, plus pasture rent) at about $15 per cow, the lowest since 2009.

“Note that these calculated returns do not include all economic costs of production…,” LMIC analysts say. “Every operation has different resources and costs. Year-over-year changes in calculated returns are more insightful than the specific numeric levels.”

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Estimated cow-calf returns last year were $285 per cow.

Steeper and quicker declines in calf prices and cow-calf returns suggest slowing herd expansion.

“It is clear from the slaughter data trends that the summer of 2016 was the first step in the transition to lower national herd growth rates,” LMIC analysts say. “As 2017 unfolds, the year-over-year increase in female slaughter is projected to continue causing a more notable slowdown in cowherd growth as of Jan. 1, 2018.”

So far this year, female slaughter data continues to support a year-over-year increase in total cattle inventory of approximately 3.5% as of Jan. 1—similar to last year. But, LMIC analysts explain, “Some other factors, including the year-on-year drop in U.S. feeder cattle imports from Canada and Mexico, has led LMIC to suggest U.S. herd growth may moderate some and could be in the 2.5% and 3.5% range.”

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Currently, LMIC estimates female cattle slaughter for this year at 43.5% to 44.0% of total cattle slaughter.

“Based on historical relationships going back to 1950, we have never experienced that low of a female cattle slaughter ratio resulting in a decreased total cattle inventory in the corresponding Jan. 1 report,” LMIC analysts explain. “It is not until we get into about a 48% ratio (female slaughter to total slaughter) or greater that a decrease in cattle inventory is likely.”

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