CATTLE OUTNUMBER PEOPLE IN FAYETTE COUNTY

  

A famous fast-food commercial in the 1980’s used to ask “Where’s the Beef?” The answer appears to be in Fayette County.

Extension Agent Scott Willey gave his annual report to the Fayette County Commissioners Court.

The report showed that Fayette County ranks third in the state of Texas and 17^th nationally in cow-calf production.

Willey said that as of April 11, there were 57,925 head of beef cattle in the County. According to the Fayette County Record, the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau showed the County with a human population of 24,435.

That puts the cattle population at more than double the human population.

While, the cattle population is still higher than the human population, Willey told Commissioners that production has dropped off over the last 15 years.

In 2007-2008, the cattle population was at nearly 75,000 head.

His reasons for the drop in cattle population included droughts, an aging demographic of producers, and land use changes.

Willey added that it does appear to be growing back, but it is at a slower rate than years past.