USDA Shows Large Livestock Losses
As we discussed the estimated 2012 net farm income from the USDA report yesterday, the grain farmers are looking at a very good year at the expense of the livestock operators.
USDA is predicting that dairy revenues will fall from about $40 billion to $33 billion and in connection with much higher feed prices, this will lead to much larger dairy losses.
Total cattle sales are expected to be higher, however, is primarily due to extra liquidation of the herd rather than higher prices. Total hog and broiler revenue is expected to remain about the same, however, high feed prices again will lead to large losses.
Total revenues from livestock for 2012 are as follows:
- Cattle and calves – $65 billion
- Dairy – $35 billion
- Poultry – $23 billion
- Hogs – $21 billion
- Total livestock sales of about $144 billion
One last observation is that total farm expenses have now surpassed the 1979 inflation adjusted peak (using 2005 dollars) at about $325 billion of total expenses. 1979 peaked out at about $280 billion.
Paul G. Neiffer
Paul Neiffer is a certified public accountant and business advisor specializing in income taxation, accounting services, and succession planning for farmers and agribusiness processors. Paul is a principal with CliftonLarsonAllen in Walla Walla, Washington, as well as a regular speaker at national conferences and contributor at agweb.com. Raised on a farm in central Washington, he has been immersed in the ag industry his entire life, including the last 30 years professionally. Paul and his wife purchase an 180 acre ranch in 2016 and enjoy keeping it full of animals.
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