Cattle Ranching Industry Overview

Excerpt from Cattle Ranching Report

Companies in this industry are ranches and farms that raise cattle, including those intended for dairy herd replacements, and feedlots that fatten cattle in preparation for slaughter. Major companies include US companies AgriBeef; AzTex Cattle; and Cactus Feeders; JBS and Minerva (both headquartered in Brazil); Teys Australia Meat Group (Australia); and Nippon Meat Packers (Japan).

Competitive Landscape

Demand is driven by food prices, population growth, and global trade policies. The profitability of individual operations depends on production efficiency and anticipating market demand. Large operators have some advantages in volume purchasing and efficient use of labor and equipment. Small operators can compete successfully by producing special grades of beef cattle and by controlling costs carefully. The industry is concentrated: the top 7 percent of farms generate about 75 percent of revenue.

Products, Operations & Technology

Major services include raising live cattle and "finishing" cattle on feedlots in preparation for slaughter.