Too much cheap food ....

[WiltonRanch]

NZ, like canuckistan, is a third world nation pretending to be first world by borrowing. There as it will here, once the reality of that fact comes home to roost, target stocking numbers will be irrelevant. However, there will be a switch to more plant protein away from animal for economic reasons as beef will once again be more of a luxury product in most homes rather than a staple.

Economics of production and economics of the home will dictate that. I remember an article in Cattlemen by Don Campbell where he claimed the most profitable area in Saskatchewan for raising cattle was north of hwy16. Ample moisture, feed, enough grain production to allow for synergies, and ground more suitable for grazing. Well, I live north of 16 and cattle numbers have been dwindling, and not much desire from anyone to grow herds. I have said here before that cattle production will shrink back to rocky poor ground only suitable for cows, or in my case of variable ground where mixed farming works well. Even then so many outfits here have reduced or ditched the cows. Beef will be a luxury but for us remaining guys it better be worth our while or you’ll be eating soy burgers or dairy beef.