Return of US drought delays cattle-herd rebuilding, hurts Tyson Foods

CHICAGO, Illinois: Farmers and analysts said the return of drought in U.S. cattle-producing areas has delayed ranchers' plans to expand production after the nation's herd shrank to its smallest level in seventy years.

A shortage of cattle is putting pressure on meatpackers like Tyson Foods, which reported its quarterly earnings on November 12, pushing beef prices higher for consumers.

Meat producers had