# US beef production in decline despite heavier cows | Agriculture Dive

> US beef production is declining in 2024 but less than expected, as cattle stayed longer in feedlots and gained weight. Cattle slaughter is down 4.4% year-to-date versus 2023, and dressed weights averaged 850 pounds, about 3% higher year over year.

- Date: 2024-07-18 · published 2024-07-18T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: report · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/29410-us-beef-production-in-decline-despite-heavier-cows-agriculture-dive
- Commodities: [Live Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/LCATTLE.md), [Feeder Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/FCATTLE.md)

## Why it matters

Reduced slaughter and heavier carcasses tighten beef supply and support cattle prices, while packers' losses limit their willingness to raise kill rates.

## Read by commodity

- FCATTLE: bullish ▲
- LCATTLE: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LCATTLE | 2022-02-22 | [US beef cow herd declines
						 \| The Cattle Site](https://feedsoft.ai/events/42850-us-beef-cow-herd-declines-the-cattle-site.md) | -0.7% | -2.3% |
| LCATTLE | 2024-04-16 | [USDA predicts lower crop prices for key commodities in 2024 \| Agriculture Dive](https://feedsoft.ai/events/30684-usda-predicts-lower-crop-prices-for-key-commodities-in-2024-agriculture-dive.md) | +0.7% | -0.8% |
| LCATTLE | 2018-10-12 | [U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise on cut in beef production estimate - AgCanada](https://feedsoft.ai/events/62669-u-s-livestock-cattle-futures-rise-on-cut-in-beef-production-estimate-agcanada.md) | +0.0% | +3.5% |
| LCATTLE | 2023-05-22 | [USDA foresees Less Beef Production and Higher Cattle Prices Cattle Range](https://feedsoft.ai/events/4498-usda-foresees-less-beef-production-and-higher-cattle-prices-cattle-range.md) | +0.8% | +8.0% |
| LCATTLE | 2023-12-04 | [Lower Beef Production Affecting 2024 Prices](https://feedsoft.ai/events/32624-lower-beef-production-affecting-2024-prices.md) | -1.8% | -0.5% |
| FCATTLE | 2022-02-22 | [US beef cow herd declines
						 \| The Cattle Site](https://feedsoft.ai/events/42850-us-beef-cow-herd-declines-the-cattle-site.md) | -4.7% | -5.6% |
| FCATTLE | 2018-10-12 | [U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise on cut in beef production estimate - AgCanada](https://feedsoft.ai/events/62669-u-s-livestock-cattle-futures-rise-on-cut-in-beef-production-estimate-agcanada.md) | -0.9% | -4.2% |
| FCATTLE | 2023-05-22 | [USDA foresees Less Beef Production and Higher Cattle Prices Cattle Range](https://feedsoft.ai/events/4498-usda-foresees-less-beef-production-and-higher-cattle-prices-cattle-range.md) | +13.4% | +12.5% |

## Sources

- agriculturedive.com: https://www.agriculturedive.com/news/beef-production-declines-heavier-cows/721723/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.