TSCRA Marketing Committee survey indicates ranchers anticipating major herd rebuilding

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Marketing Committee recently conducted a survey where TSCRA members provided information on herd reductions, rebuilding intentions and primary rebuilding challenges.
Most survey participants indicated their herds are at 71 percent of their 10-year average herd size. This is in-line with previous drought surveys in 2011.
When asked about plans for herd rebuilding, responses indicated that members are positioning their operations for growth. If grazing and profitability conditions remain the same, 49 percent of ranchers expect to increase their herd size by an average of 34 percent.
If grazing and profitability conditions were to improve, 65 percent of responding ranchers expect to increase their herd size by an average of 35 percent. If grazing profitability conditions were to decline, 65 percent of respondents indicated they would either make no changes to or increase their herd size.
When respondents were asked to rank the most important factors when making decisions about the size of their breeding herds, the results showed grass conditions continue to be the single largest limiting factor. Ninety-one percent of the respondents ranked grass conditions as one of the top two challenges to future growth. Water availability was second largest, as 44 percent of the participating members ranked water in their top two factors.
To view the TSCRA Marketing Committee Survey Executive Summary, click here.