Livestock Situation and Outlook Dr. Curt Lacy Extension Economist-Livestock

Outline 2008 Recap and Overall Meat Complex Beef Outlook Poultry Outlook Dairy Outlook Aquaculture (catfish) Outlook

2008 Recap Record production in Feed, fuel and fertilizer prices hit this sector especially hard in Weakened economy + record production = lower prices in 2008.

Increasing Amounts of Meat Stocks in Cold Storage Indicate Decreased Demand

Livestock Marketing Information Center As a result, beef pork and poultry supplies will ALL be lower in st time EVER!

Overall Outlook for Livestock Products in 2009 Lower production should be supportive of prices. Economy and input prices will the wild cards. IF the economy stabilizes and IF feed prices stay lower then profits should be no worse than/maybe even better in 2009.

Beef Cattle Production and Supply

Drought and other factors had a major impact this past year Historically high: –Feed costs –Fertilizer prices –Fuel prices Cow herd liquidation Herd reduction No interest in expansion

Impact of Fuel & Fertilizer Prices on Cost of Production

Livestock Marketing Information Center

Feed and Trucking Costs Change the Price Relationships Between Calves and Feeders

Feeder and Fed Cattle Prices (Futures) Are Also Impacted by Other Factors

Livestock Marketing Information Center Narrow Ch-Sel Spread Indicates Weaker Beef Demand

Outlook for 2009 Price Projections – equal to or slightly better than 2 nd half of 2008 –Calves - $90-$100 (Basis Mid-South) –Feeders - $85-$95 (Basis Mid-South) –Fed - $85-$95 Depending on feed costs, could see another narrowing of calf vs. feeder prices. Cull cow prices should remain fairly strong in 2009, $48- $58/Cwt. Current market signals suggests adding as much grass-weight as economically feasible.

Summary of Jan 1 Cattle Inventory Report All cattle and calves 94.5 million head, -2% Beef cows, at 31.7 million -2% Milk 9.33 million +1% Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in all feedlots, 13.9 million -7% Stockers/feeders outside of feedlots +6% Stockers on winter pastures 1.65 mil. -6%

Livestock Marketing Information Center Data Source: USDA/NASS 4 th year in a row we have seen a decline = 31.7 million beef cows, down 2.0% from last year

The Net Effect is Lower Beef Production through 2011

CHANGE IN BEEF COW NUMBERS JANUARY 1, 2000 TO JANUARY 1, 2009 (1000 Head) Alaska Hawaii US Total

Long-Range Beef Cattle Outlook Contraction of cow herd means lower supplies in future years likely through Price improvement will be sharp when economy makes the turn. Projections for continued high feed prices indicate that heavy-weight feeders (700 # +) will be desired over lighter-weights. Dont be surprised if in 5 years we see: –Fed cattle $110+ –Feeders $105-$115 –Calves $125-$150 (depending on weight) Trick is staying in the game that long!

Poultry Situation and Outlook

Poultry Situation & Outlook Poultry producers bore brunt of increased feed and fuel prices. Considerable financial uncertainty in the industry. Export markets are a moving target feed prices will be the difference.

Livestock Marketing Information Center Best Cure for Low Prices??

Livestock Marketing Information Center Best Cure for Low Prices?? Decrease Production!

2009 Poultry Outlook Broilers –Almost 2% decline in production will it stick? –Slightly lower exports –Lower per capita consumption (marginal) –Lower supplies should increase price (slightly) –Profits hopefully yes, depends on cost!

2009 Poultry Outlook Eggs –Slight INCREASE in production –Stable exports –Slightly less utilization –Lower prices than 2008 but still favorable –Profits Maybe?

Dairy Situation & Outlook Special thanks to Dr. Tommie Shepherd, CAED, UGA

Dairy Producers Have Experienced a Price Drop of Historical Proportion 46% drop in 8 months!

Milk Price Drivers In 2009 Milk Production (supply) –Fewer cows –Lower production per cow –Total production up 1% or less from 2008 –Increasing Stocks of Manufactured Dairy Products (Cheese, Butter, NFDM) –EU will increase production with the aid of export subsidies –AUS and NZ recovering from drought Milk Consumption (demand) –Strengthening U.S. Dollar makes our product more expensive internationally –Weak world economy will slow demand U.S. and International –CCC already purchasing some products

Milk Price Forecast for 2009 Continued lower prices MILC payments coming in April Accelerated culling likely coming later in the year.

Aquaculture Situation & Outlook

Acres of Water for Aquaculture in LA More Stable than U.S.

Aquaculture (Catfish) Situation & Outlook Feed prices will continue to plague catfish producers. Fewer operations, 20% U.S. Fewer acres –10% U.S. –1.5% LA –12.5% MS/AR Stronger dollar will not deter imports (102 mil. lbs. in 2008). Prices will likely remain at current levels. Significant increase not likely. –Processing ($2.44/lbs. in 2008) –Producer ($0.79/lbs. in 2009)

Comparison of US and LA Operations

Livestock Summary 2009 is going to be another difficult year for livestock producers. Supplies of meat will be lower which should help prices. However, economy and input prices will be the two biggest factors. Once the economy DOES turn the corner, prices for our products could recover very rapidly. The trick is making it from until then