The cattle production industry in Texas is facing downsizing due to shifting consumer interests. Uniform breeds were developed to thrive in Texas environments, including the Beefmaster breed which originated in San Angelo. However, concerns about methane emissions from cattle, widespread mistreatment of animals, and economic declines impacting the billion dollar industry and thousands of jobs are contributing to decreased consumer demand and a struggling industry. Ranchers are turning to other crops instead of cattle due to these issues.

1. CATTLE PRODUCTIONCATTLE PRODUCTION
DOWNSIZING IN THE WAKE OF SHIFTINGDOWNSIZING IN THE WAKE OF SHIFTING
CONSUMER INTERESTSCONSUMER INTERESTS

4. CATTLE PRODUCTIONCATTLE PRODUCTION
• Calculated and constantCalculated and constant
• Uniform breeds of cattle designed to thrive in theirUniform breeds of cattle designed to thrive in their
environmentsenvironments
• The Texas Beefmaster is one of the state’s biggestThe Texas Beefmaster is one of the state’s biggest
contributions to the industry.contributions to the industry.

5. MORE INFO ON THEMORE INFO ON THE
BEEFMASTERBEEFMASTER
• In 1931, Tom Lasater beganIn 1931, Tom Lasater began
developing Beefmasters indeveloping Beefmasters in
San Angelo, TexasSan Angelo, Texas
• In 1954, the United StatesIn 1954, the United States
Department of AgricultureDepartment of Agriculture
recognized Beefmasters asrecognized Beefmasters as
a pure beef breeda pure beef breed

6. THE BEEFMASTER BREED IS DEFINEDTHE BEEFMASTER BREED IS DEFINED
BY THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICSBY THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS
• •• FertilityFertility
• •• DispositionDisposition
• •• WeightWeight
• •• ConformationConformation
• •• HardinessHardiness
• •• Milk ProductionMilk Production

7. MethaneMethane
AwarenessAwareness
• 250-500 liters of methane a day250-500 liters of methane a day
• Cattle diets changingCattle diets changing
• Research and development stillResearch and development still
varied, but improving.varied, but improving.

8. What about theWhat about the
Animals?Animals?
- Mistreatment ofMistreatment of
animals in productionanimals in production
- Widespread outrageWidespread outrage
- Improvement toImprovement to
treatment of animalstreatment of animals
means “ Treat themeans “ Treat the
cows well and theycows well and they
will take care of you”will take care of you”
(Petrinovich)(Petrinovich)

10. EconomicEconomic
DeclinesDeclines
• 1 in 7 people in Texas1 in 7 people in Texas
has an agriculturalhas an agricultural
related job (14%)related job (14%)
• Cattle Production is aCattle Production is a
billion dollar industrybillion dollar industry
• Continued decline willContinued decline will
cause strain on not onlycause strain on not only
the people of Texas butthe people of Texas but
the state as a wholethe state as a whole

11. TheThe
EnvironmentEnvironment
• Examination of MethaneExamination of Methane
production under extremeproduction under extreme
scrutinyscrutiny
• Ranchers taking to other outletRanchers taking to other outlet
such as crop production vs.such as crop production vs.
cattlecattle
• Argument still exist on what isArgument still exist on what is
more harmful methane or your dailymore harmful methane or your daily
dose of pesticide, herbicide,dose of pesticide, herbicide,
and soil erosionand soil erosion
• Does it really makeDoes it really make
a difference Crops Vs. Cattlea difference Crops Vs. Cattle
Growth in Texas Commodity Sales 1990-1999
Type
Agricultural
Commodity
1990 Texas Agricultural
Cash Receipts ($000)
1999 Texas Agricultural
Cash Receipts ($000)
Percent Change
Ag Related* $829,050 $1,658,480 100%
Cotton $1,695,937 $1,417,038 -16%
Feed Crops $1,244,456 $1,601,471 29%
Food Grains $499,523 $467,257 -6%
Fruits and Nuts $98,483 $153,987 56%
Vegetable Crops $386,072 $430,866 12%
Oil Crops $232,851 $260,846 12%
Misc. Crops** $669,543 $1,255,676 88%
Beef $5,287,962 $5,291,460 0%
Milk $770,784 $799,244 4%
Sheep, Goats,
Hogs
$186,318 $257,424 38%
Poultry $773,121 $937,575 21%
*Includes: aquaculture, fishing, furs and pelts, horses, hunting, recreation,
timber, Christmas trees, and exotic animals.
**Includes: alfalfa, castors, clover seed, cowpeas, guar, nursery, sugar cane,
sugar beets, vetch seed.
Sources: Texas Agricultural Extension Service and Texas Comptroller of Public
Accounts.

12. ConsumerConsumer
InterestInterest
• ““Ouch” said theOuch” said the
pocketbook!pocketbook!
• Increase of 2.3%Increase of 2.3%
at restaurants inat restaurants in
TexasTexas
• ContinuedContinued
increase in theincrease in the
next year of 4-5%next year of 4-5%
• IncreasedIncreased
caused bycaused by
drought, anddrought, and
increasedincreased
imports due toimports due to
lack oflack of
production.production.

13. In the End…In the End…
• SelectiveSelective
Breeding makeBreeding make
for better meatfor better meat
• MethaneMethane
ImprovementImprovement
• Better animalBetter animal
carecare
• Job loss & billionJob loss & billion
dollar industry gonedollar industry gone
• EnvironmentalEnvironmental
Crop vs. CattleCrop vs. Cattle
• Consumer InterestConsumer Interest