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Drought Leaves Cattle Herd in U.S. at Lowest Level in 60 Years

The nation’s cattle herd is at a 60-year low after another year of drought left nearly half the pastures in Texas — the country's biggest cattle producer — in poor condition.

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Bloomberg reports that the nation’s cattle herd is at a 60-year low after a third year of drought left nearly half the pastures in Texas, the country's biggest cattle producer, in poor condition. With rising feed coasts and less incentive for farmers to maintain herd size, the commercial slaughter of cattle during the first half of the year may be the biggest since 1996, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

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