NALT

Preferred term

cattle cycle

Topic

The cattle cycle refers to a cyclical process where the size of cattle herd increases and decreases over time due to the biological constraints that delay cow-calf producers from responding to perceived changes in the profitability of cattle production. Thus, the total number of beef cattle in the United States is highly dependent on the stage in that cycle. In general, the cattle cycle is determined by the combined effects of cattle prices; the gestation period (the longest of all meat animals); the time needed for raising calves to market weight; and climatic conditions. If prices are expected to be high, producers slowly build up their herd sizes; if prices are expected to be low, producers reduce their herds by culling older cows and keeping fewer heifers to replace older cows or add to their herd. The cattle cycle averages 8-12 years in duration, but persistent dry conditions on pastures and harvested forage supplies can shorten or extend cycles.

cattle production

beef cycle

Field 001 in MARC Authority Format

9813983937000041

Value previous used for Field 001 in MARC Authority Format

93598

Spanish

ciclo ganadero

URI

https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/334713

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Created 10/10/19, last modified 12/16/19