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Reports could help define direction of the cattle herd

A livestock economist says the combination of this week’s Livestock Slaughter and Cattle on Feed reports could provide some insight into the direction of the cattle herd.

University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says it has been much of the same story recently. “I’m going to be curious to watch placements and will be curious to watch beef cow slaughter,” he says. “I’m still looking for some signs of maybe trying to grow the herd at some point in time.”

He tells Brownfield the latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report indicated the pork industry remains incredibly efficient and production hasn’t slowed. “How many hogs we continue to see coming from a slaughter perspective will be interesting to watch,” he says.

Livestock Slaughter numbers come out Thursday afternoon at 3 ET/2 CT and Cattle on Feed numbers come out Friday at 3 ET/2 CT.