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The Canadian cattle herd continued to experience contraction to begin 2025, however, there are signs of herd stabilization as cow slaughter declines and producers indicate an increase in heifer retention for beef replacement.

India’s 2025 beef production (mostly carabeef) is forecast at 4.64 million metric ton (MMT), up from 4.57 MMT in 2024. The large cattle inventory, Post forecasts at 307.5 million head in 2025, is expected to continue facilitating the increased slaughter and carabeef production.

India’s 2025 beef production (mostly carabeef) is forecast to reach 4.64 million metric tons (MMT), up from 4.57 MMT in 2024, on steady domestic and increased export demand.

The Canadian cattle herd is forecast to sustain the long-term trend of contraction to begin 2025 but will begin to stabilize by year’s end on improved feed pricing and availability.

The 2023 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2023 calendar year.

Health Canada is proposing a policy revision for foods derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), cattle and swine and their progeny.

The Canadian cattle herd continues its sustained contraction in 2024. A smaller beef cow inventory will see the 2024 calf crop decline. Improved cattle prices may signal improved heifer retention if moisture conditions and pastures improve, or producers could see this as an opportune time to maximize exiting the industry during a time of better returns.

FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts India's market year (MY) 2024 (January-December) cattle herd at 307.42 million head, up marginally from 307.4 million head in 2023. A gradual pace of growth is likely to persist in the short- to medium-term.

The Canadian cattle herd is forecast to sustain the long-term trend of contraction in 2024. Drought impacts will see cow and heifer slaughter increase proportionally to herd size in 2023, limiting any growth potential.

FAS New Delhi (Post) in market year 2024 (January-December) forecasts India’s national cattle herd growing to 307.6 million head, up by some 135 thousand head from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official 2023 estimate of 307.5 million head.

The 2022 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2022 calendar year.

The Canadian cattle herd will continue to contract in 2023. With a smaller cow herd and reductions in heifer retention the 2023 calf crop is expected to be smaller relative to 2022. Feed price volatility and drought concerns, coupled with a contracting U.S. herd, will see live cattle import numbers fall once again.