Protein Numbers

Protein Numbers

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
A pair of Department of Agriculture reports are showing a continuing expansion of available protein as trade disputes make it more difficult to move products to overseas markets. According to the USDA’s cold storage report, total red meat supplies in freezers are up 5% over last year with most of that increase coming from pork bellies and beef. A recent report also noted 11.3 million head of cattle on feed, a 4% jump over last year’s figures. USDA livestock analyst Shel Shagams says herd numbers are up across a variety of categories. “There were 32.5 million head of beef cows which is about 1% above a year ago and 9.4 million head of milk cows which was about unchanged from a year ago. The number of steers 500 pounds and over was 14.5 million head, unchanged from a year ago and the number of calves under 500 pounds was 28.4 million head which is 2% above a year ago.
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