Animal Science Lecture 2

GDP

Gross domestic product - the total amount of money the U.S. makes in a certain time period.

Agriculture's contribution to GDP

Despite occupying ⅔ of U.S. land, agriculture only makes up 1% of the U.S. economy (GDP).

Economic value of crops and animals in agriculture

50% from crops and 50% from animal agriculture.

Beef's contribution to animal agriculture economics

Beef makes up 18% of animal agriculture due to its higher expense.

Total value of livestock commodities

$166 billion.

Total value of all commodities

$374.8 billion, including crops like cotton and corn.

Colorado's rank in cattle and calves production

5th in the U.S.

Region producing the most money from broilers

Southeastern U.S. States.

Livestock associated with high corn production

Hogs are produced in states that grow a lot of corn.

Most slaughtered animal by population in the U.S.

Chickens, with 9 billion slaughtered due to their smaller size and high demand.

Most slaughtered animal by weight

Chickens, although beef leads in monetary value.

Central U.S

Mainly located in the central U.S. due to more irrigated land compared to the desert in the West.

Segments of the beef cattle industry

Cow/calf, feedlot, and packer.

Location of beef cow inventory

Scattered across the U.S., primarily away from populated areas.

Average national cow herd size

About 42 head.

Difference between beef cattle and chicken industries

The beef cattle industry is segmented and not vertically integrated, unlike the chicken industry, which is dominated by a single company (Tyson).

Feedlot cattle diet

High energy grain diets (corn) from weaning to harvest.

Location of feedlots

Located in plains states near corn and grain production, typically in warm and dry climates.