WHAT IS THE COST TO THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY?
The Illinois livestock industry is a major economic contributor to the rural, urban, and state economies. Illinois’ nearly 2 million head of cattle, 4 million hogs, 120,000 dairy cows, and 74,000 sheep and goats consume hundreds of millions of dollars worth of animal feed each year. In terms of jobs, it is estimated that Illinois employment attributable to these products are as follows: 26,000 in cattle; 6,500 in pork, 2,200 in dairy, and 2,400 in sheep and goats. These jobs do not include professions in zoos, or attributable to other hoofed animals like llamas, deer, bison, etc. Nationwide, the animal livestock sector contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. Exports are also significant. For beef and pork and their variety meats alone, the U.S. exports nearly 2 million metric tons each year, valued at nearly $5 billion. These numbers do not include exports of hides and skins, livestock genetics, and other products. The FMD outbreak in the UK had already cost more than $10
