Jack Dillard's weekly agriculture column in The Shreveport Times...
As America’s cow herd numbers dropped to 60-year lows two years ago, ranchers saw an economic incentive to save and breed replacement heifers. Demands for the young females spiked creating a profitable niche market which now appears to have flamed out. Heifer prices were strong throughout 2013 and 2014 as the cow herd rebuilt and prices rose. Profits were high for those who capitalized on developing breeding heifers during the market rally.