1.   In addition, pasture conditions were worse then normal, further encouraging the sale of heifers as meat animals instead of breeding stock.

2.   In addition, pasture conditions were worse than normal, further encouraging the sale of heifers as meat animals instead of breeding stock.

3.   The rain also improved pasture conditions for cattle grazing as an alternative to feed, encouraging farmers to keep their cows for now.

4.   Favorable feeder cattle prices and good pasture conditions have led to an expansion of the beef cattle herd.

5.   In the farm economy, poor pasture conditions have limited expansion of cattle breeding herds.