Annual Feed Survey

The October issue of Feed Management contained the annual survey of feed use by the major classes of livestock in the United States. The estimated feed tonnage for 1998 declined compared to 1997. The reason for the decline was attributed to reduction in feeder pigs, beef replacements, grain-fed beef, dairy heifers and turkeys. The feed potential for swine accounted for 26 percent of the total demand; dairy, 21.8 percent; broilers, 19.4 percent; beef, 18 percent; layers, 8 percent; turkeys, 5.6 percent; and the balance was divided among several other species. The feed potential estimates are the amount of complete feed needed for feeding the various species. These potentials are calculated from animal inventories and expressed on a complete feed basis.

The Feed Management article also provided data by state and region. Trends in livestock numbers are reflected in the tables. Most noticeable was the 27 percent decline in swine operations in 1998, reflecting consolidations in the swine industry. Both beef and dairy numbers declined slightly, whereas broiler and layer numbers increased. The following table provides data on livestock numbers and estimated feed consumption by species:

Comment: Soybean meal usage is tied directly to animal and poultry numbers. Swine and poultry require high-quality protein feed ingredients for efficient production. Soybean meal is the protein ingredient of choice for these species. Growing numbers of poultry, swine and aquaculture operations translates into a larger demand for soybean meal.

Lobo, Philip. 1999. USA Feed Market: Feed potential for layers and broilers is up-other down. Feed Management. 50(8):6-17.