On this episode of the Progressive Cattle podcast, Frank Mitloehner, professor of animal science and air quality specialist at the University of California, Davis, discusses beef’s roll in climate change. What battles should beef producers fight? Is climate change real? And, is biodiversity the next “Achilles’ heel” in animal agriculture? You won’t want to miss it.

In 2020, the U.S. exported $7.6 billion in beef and variety meat products (down 6% from 2019); variety meat exports to all partners accounted for 11.8% of that value, down from 12.4% in 2019.

The February Cattle on Feed report from the USDA showed a Feb. 1 feedlot inventory of 12.1 million head, 101.5% of one year ago. January placements were 2.017 million head, up 3.2% year over year.

In a recent Progressive Cattle online reader poll, we asked, “Which issue surrounding the beef industry are you most concerned about?” Of the choices listed, environmental policy changes and fake meat were the most selected at 35.6% and 23.8%. Other options included the beef supply chain, international trade and exports, antibiotic restrictions, tax changes and “other.”

Many beef cattle producers graze winter annuals, but are they utilized in the most optimal way? Instead of unrestricted access to forage, limit grazing is a strategy which can be used to help provide short-term access to a high-quality forage crop and extend the use of other conserved forage resources being used on the farm.

Standardized performance analysis records indicate that, on average, a beef cow is 6 years old before she pays off her developmental and feed costs and starts generating a profit. Therefore, starting her off on the right foot is key.

Spring is on the horizon and producers are looking ahead toward grazing turnout. Preparation should include evaluation of all the potential bulls that may be turned out with cows. This evaluation is referred to as a breeding soundness exam (BSE).

As spring arrives, it means initial calf working for many cow-calf producers. This initial processing is often done when calves are 2 to 3 months old.

For the final quarter of 2020, beef production was lowered 80 million pounds on fewer-than-expected cattle slaughtered in December. This decline was particularly driven by fewer steers and heifers in the slaughter mix. As a result, 2020 beef production is forecast at 27.2 billion pounds, almost unchanged from 2019 production levels.