united states department of agriculture www ers usda gov electronic outlook report from the economic research service note due to uncertainties as length bans regarding imports ruminant products discovery bse in canada and 2003 forecasts for 2004 2005 assume a continuation policies currently place subsequent will reflect any announced changes cattle indicated that inventories continued decline began 1996 number beef heifers be retained addition breeding herd was up 4 percent year earlier most likely they this s calf crop if so won t bred until with calves born 2006 begin increase supplies mid 2007 although conditions are more favorable expansion than at time since 1998 major record feeder prices raising opportunity heifer retention cloud issue international exist on reopening export market japan prospects further opening third quarter hog 51 52 lean live equivalent expected
