What was the price of live cattle in 2019? Will prices rise in 2020?

Beef is one of the essential meats on the market, and coupled with the sharp rise in pork prices in 2019, beef prices have also been rising. So what was the price of live cattle in 2019? Will prices rise in 2020?

1. What was the price of live cattle in 2019?

The price of live cattle is relatively high, with one live cow costing around 3000-6000 yuan. Prices vary slightly depending on breed, size and region. As beef prices rise, live cattle prices will also rise to a certain extent; the actual market conditions should be taken as the standard.

2. Will live cattle prices rise in 2020?

Live cattle prices may rise in 2020. Beef prices on the market are still high, and although regulators have been intervening, prices in general are still rising. The prices of all meat products have risen to a certain degree. Market demand has not decreased, but because of swine fever, pork stocks and slaughter volumes have fallen sharply, causing the prices of other meats to rise. Prices may not recover any time soon, so live cattle prices will continue to rise in 2020.

3. How should live cattle be transported over long distances?

1. Plan the driving route in advance. Try to choose routes with smooth roads, gentle curves, open visibility and clear traffic, and try to avoid routes with frequent traffic jams so as to avoid long stops along the way.

2. Pay attention to the weather forecast. Choose periods with suitable temperatures, stable conditions and small day-night temperature differences as far as possible. In summer, travel in the early morning or evening if possible, and during the hottest part of midday be sure to find a shady place to let the cattle and sheep cool off and rest; in winter and spring, avoid travelling in rain, snow or strong winds.

3. Prepare the transport vehicle and essential items. The vehicle must be in good condition and fully documented, and fitted with high side rails to prevent the cattle and sheep from jumping out; bring a tarpaulin, and in winter and spring any transport lasting more than 2 hours must be covered with a tarpaulin to block the wind; according to the length of the journey, prepare sufficient forage, water basins and other equipment, and bring necessary anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medicines.

4. Spread 1-2 layers of grass mats in the truck bed, or cover the floor boards with a layer of dry sandy soil, to prevent the cattle and sheep from slipping and being injured or killed during transport.

5. Starting 3-5 days before departure, continuously add Qizhen Zengmian granules and Tianzhisu to the drinking water (add 1000 grams and 200 grams per ton of drinking water respectively), which can significantly improve the cattle and sheep's ability to resist stress; when loading, inject Benshan Huning injection intramuscularly, which can effectively prevent infections during transport, especially respiratory infections. Before loading, make sure they drink enough water and feed the forage until they are 80 percent full. For journeys of less than 1 day, no forage needs to be fed; for journeys of more than 1 day, feed forage 2-3 times a day and provide water no fewer than 2 times, adding 500 grams of Wanneng Yuan powder per 100 kg of drinking water to ensure electrolyte balance, while taking measures to ensure every cow and sheep can drink enough water and eat enough feed.

6. Reasonable density. Do not load them too densely or too tightly, especially for long-distance transport; it is best to separate the cattle and sheep by breed, strength, size and sex; pregnant ewes must not be loaded with their bellies supported, to prevent miscarriage; the density must not be too low either, because if it is too low the cattle and sheep can easily fall over.

7. Drive smoothly. The vehicle should start slowly and avoid sudden braking as far as possible; drive slowly on bumpy roads, slopes and curves to prevent the cattle and sheep from being crushed to death. When stopping midway or when people rest, arrange for a dedicated person to watch over them to prevent the cattle and sheep from jumping out or being stolen.

8. Monitor the cattle and sheep's condition throughout the journey. The person accompanying the truck should thoroughly check once every 2 hours, and when abnormal situations such as strange calls or lying down are found, stop the vehicle promptly, identify the cause and handle it properly in good time, such as lifting up those lying down and placing them in a corner where they are unlikely to be crushed.

9. When unloading, prevent the gap between the truck bed boards and the truck body from injuring their legs; it is best to unload near a high platform to prevent injuries or miscarriage from jumping off.

10. After unloading, do not immediately provide water or feed; wait 2 hours and then let them drink until 60 percent full (add 1000 grams and 200 grams of Qizhen Zengmian granules and Tianzhisu respectively per ton of drinking water, used continuously for 3-5 days, to enhance immunity and reduce stress); after 4 hours, feed high-quality forage until 50-60 percent full; on the second day, feed a small amount of concentrated feed, adding 500 grams and 1000 grams of Benshan Pinghengjian and Tianzhilian respectively per ton of concentrated feed, used continuously for 2 weeks, to clear heat and detoxify, regulate gastrointestinal function, boost the body's immunity and reduce the occurrence of disease; on the day of arrival, inject Benshan Huning injection intramuscularly into the whole herd again to prevent the respiratory and digestive tract diseases that commonly occur after transport, and provide symptomatic treatment for any cattle and sheep that are ill.