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Show Revision of Cattle Number Changes Economic Picture I Revised cattle number figures fig-ures issued by the United States Department of Agricultural Agricul-tural February 13, are staggering stag-gering as far as the cattle in- dustry is concerned, according to Paul R. Grimshaw, Utah State University Extension Services marketing specialist. There are about 3.4 million head more cattle than had been estimated, he said. The preliminary estimate had been based on figures used in late 1966 and early 1967 of 104.8 million head and this increase was not expected to be very large. The upward revision in cattle cat-tle numbers, cow numbers and calf crops show that instead of 1965 and 1966 being years of liquidation, cattle numbers are close to the all-time peak of 1965. Beef cow numbers, as of January 1, 1967, set a new record high. The revision of numbers changes the price picture for beef rather drastically, he said. Instead of prices trending trend-ing upward in late 1967 as previously predicted, it now appears a normal fall price pattern will evolve. Overall prices in 1967 don't appear to have much opportunity for improvement im-provement over 1966 levels. Beef cow numbers have not yet turned down and the beef calf crop in 1967 will likely be one to two percent above 1966 levels, Mr. Grimshaw said. He said that cattle feeders will continue to have narrow margins or even losses unless they make every effort to minimize min-imize costs. Cattle should be marketed at lighter weights. The top end should be fed to grade choice but the bulk of the cattle might grade only high good. This means cheaper cheap-er gains and possible improved im-proved margins. The lower grade cattle will likely move better on West Coast markets. Cow calf operators should cull the cow herd more judiciously, judici-ously, Mr. Grimshaw said. Cow prices will likely stay near present levels; this should be utilized as an incentive in-centive to producers to reduce cow numbers and, by supply, ing the heavy demand for cow type beef, producers will be discouraging imports of this type of beef from other countries. |