You still don’t get it, whirl, yes 1 million is a 1 percent of total cow in usa. But the figure of 97 million cows is not all beef cows. Only about 80 million are, consumption is 2008 data shows 35 million consumed per year it takes 1.5 years for cow to mature to be able to carry calf another 9 months for first calf to be born.
Out of the 80 million 35 percent are male apox as they are good chain supply with some for breeding. Leaves 80-28 =52 million cows that can bred. Then subtract 10 percent as aging replacement 5 million .47 million with 50 percent some where in 18 month maturity cycle not breed able yet. That makes 24 million breed able cows in varining stages of gestation lose 1 million off spring and set back cycle at least a year by time all are cows re bred and producing. How can you make shortfall? You are already importing to make the 35 million consumed as you only produce 24 million per year now only 23 million, add grain shortage, increase cattle prices for live animals, importing live breeding animals from over seas is tough and no way you can do 500,000 females
This is using artificial means of hormone injection and pregnancy cycle changers. Since in Nebraska most don’t want calfing in Dec Jan as if you have range cattle many young will die. You can’t just hold back the slaughter beef as some are not in breeding quality and if you don’t supply there are penalties, some of the cows losing thier calf will cause mastitis again more chemicals but some will not recover then be only good as ham burger, further reducing breeding stock numbers.