Livestock farmers in Romania are struggling to survive due to a devastating drought. The sun has scorched the grass in the meadows and pastures and grain harvests are smaller. The supply of feed for cattle is seriously limited. Livestock farmers are forced to feed cows with feed intended for winter because grazing is impossible. Therefore, they are reducing their herds and selling cattle to slaughterhouses, reports Euronews.
The cost of feed for cattle is currently twice as high as last year, and livestock prices are 30-40 percent lower than a year ago. As a result, cattle breeding and fattening have become unprofitable. Due to the high supply, slaughter cattle prices in purchases are falling dramatically. Last year, a bull weighing 400 to 500 kg in the south of the country could fetch the equivalent of 1,600 to 1,800 euros. Today, slaughterhouses pay a maximum of 800-900 euros for such an animal.
The cattle herd in Romania is falling rapidly. From 7 million cows, only over a million remain, including about 300 thousand dairy cattle. The sheep herd is also shrinking. Smaller breeders are completely liquidating herds because they have no chance of keeping animals until spring.
The drought will likely have a dramatic effect on meat and milk prices next year. After the current oversupply, there simply won't be enough slaughter animals on the market. In the case of milk, restoring production will be particularly difficult.
Read more
Netherlands: Restriction on animal breeding in or near reserves 
Read more
Mowing corn for silage. What are the prices? 
