U.S. imports of feeder cattle and cattle intended for slaughter fell for the second consecutive year in 2022, equaling 1.63 million head, off 8 percent from 2021 according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Last year’s decline followed a 16 percent decline the year prior. In fact, last year’s imports were the fewest since 2004. The record high over the past 23 years occurred in 2002 when 2.5 million head were imported. The most recent high occurred in 2014 at 2.36 million head.
U.S. cattle imports come exclusively from Canada and Mexico. Cattle imported from Mexico are feeder cattle mostly heading to feedlots in Texas. Last year cattle imports from Mexico equaled 871,000 head, down 23 percent from 2021. According to the Daily Livestock Report, last year’s imports from Mexico were the lowest since 2008. In contrast, cattle imported from Canada are intended for slaughter. Canadian imports numbered 757,000 head last year, up 17 percent.
Source: nefb.org
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Beef Cattle