The report said dwindling cattle production would likely cause a "significant year-over-year decrease in beef production, the first decline since 2015.""This is due to the 6 percent decline in beef production that more than offsets forecast increases in pork (2 percent), broiler meat (1 percent), and turkey (7 percent) production."
According to the USDA, drought conditions contributed to the yearly decline in the beef cow inventory last year.
"While 2019 was the second-wettest year on record for the continental United States, after 1973, dry conditions began to persist in 2020, mostly in the West and Plains farm production regions," the report noted.
"Overall, drought has contributed to reduced pasture and range conditions, and increased beef and cow slaughter. Any changes to the current drought conditions will likely impact inventory numbers in the coming year."
Of course inflation and the high costs not mentioned. Must be the weather.