Farmers are struggling as cattle prices plummet.

(Baonghean.vn) - While the price of live pigs continues to plummet, the price of buffalo and cattle is now also falling. Currently, the price of beef cattle and breeding cattle has dropped by nearly half compared to the beginning of the year.

Livestock farming is a strength in Hung Nguyen, but currently, beef prices are low, leaving farmers with no profit. Photo: Thanh Tam

Taking advantage of the hilly terrain, many households in Hung Yen Nam commune, Hung Nguyen district, have developed cattle and buffalo farming over the years. Currently, the commune's cattle and buffalo herd numbers approximately 3,000 head. Cattle farming has brought hundreds of millions of dong in income to many families, such as those of Mr. Phan Bui Nhi, Mr. Dau Xuan Trinh, Mr. Nguyen Van Hien... in Hamlet 10 (each household owning 10-30 cows).

With the drop in beef prices, many livestock farmers are no longer enthusiastic about raising cattle. Some even resort to slaughtering their animals and selling the meat right in the village because they can't find buyers. "My family raises one mother cow, which gives birth to one calf each year. In previous years, calves could be raised for about 5 months and sold for 14-16 million VND. This year, with the sharp drop in pork prices, even calves only sell for 7 million VND. It's been a long time since we've been able to eat beef during Tet (Lunar New Year), but now beef and pork are only sold in the village for 160,000 VND/kg," said Ms. Ho Thi Thanh from Block 6, Hung Nguyen town.

Hung Nguyen district has a total cattle population of over 22,500, including more than 16,000 cattle, with crossbred cattle accounting for over 60%. In reality, cattle farming has brought a significant source of income to local farmers.

In previous years, a mother cow giving birth to one calf per year, raised for 3-5 months, could be sold for 13-15 million VND, which works out to over 1 million VND per month. Raising cattle doesn't require a large investment in feed; the main costs are for tending the animals. In winter, a small amount of concentrated feed is added to boost their immunity, but otherwise, they mainly eat grass, straw, and agricultural by-products. Households raising 5-7 mother cows for breeding can earn a profit of 50-80 million VND per year.

Raising cattle isn't hard work, but it still requires someone to tend the animals and the effort goes into making a profit. Photo: Thanh Tam

The sharp drop in cattle prices is not only happening in Hung Nguyen but is also widespread in many localities throughout the province.

According to livestock farmers in Tan Ky, the price of mother cows giving birth has dropped by 10-15 million VND per animal, and the price of calves has also decreased by 5-7 million VND. Livestock farming, a strength of many localities, is now causing heavier losses for those who raise more animals.

Cattle and buffaloes are characterized by slow reproduction, giving birth only once a year, with some animals taking over a year to reproduce. Each time they give birth, a female cattle or buffalo only produces an average of one calf. Their diet mainly consists of grass, dry straw, and agricultural by-products. Because they are sold very slowly, the supply to the market is not as large as that of pigs and poultry.

In fact, the domestic supply of buffalo and beef currently only reaches 78%, with the remainder still being imported from abroad. Following the cyclical pattern, meat prices, especially buffalo and beef, tend to increase significantly towards the end of the year.

To avoid being affected by the current price surge, livestock farmers should not rush to sell off their cattle and buffaloes. Instead, they should calmly care for their herds to prevent disease outbreaks.

Thanh Tam