Cattle Inventory Down 1 Percent

Beef cows were down 1 percent and replacement heifers down 5 percent. Meanwhile milk cows and replacement heifers numbers increased.

All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2011, totaled 100.0 million head, 1 percent below the 101.1 million on July 1, 2010. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 40.6 million, were down 1 percent from July 1, 2010.

  • Beef cows, at 31.4 million, were down 1 percent from July 1, 2010.
  • Milk cows, at 9.2 million, were up 1 percent from July 1, 2010.


Other class estimates on July 1, 2011 and the changes from July 1, 2010, are as follows:

  • All heifers 500 pounds and over, 16.0 million, down 1 percent.
  • Beef replacement heifers, 4.2 million, down 5 percent.
  • Milk replacement heifers, 4.2 million, up 4 percent.
  • Other heifers, 7.6 million, down 2 percent.
  • Steers weighing 500 pounds and over, 14.2 million, down 1 percent.
  • Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over, 2.0 million, down 5 percent.
  • Calves under 500 pounds, 27.2 million, down 1 percent.
  • All cattle and calves on feed for slaughter, 12.2 million, up 3 percent.

The 2011 calf crop is expected to be 35.5 million, down 1 percent from 2010. Calves born during the first half of the year are estimated at 25.8 million, down slightly from 2010.

Follow this link to full USDA cattle inventory report.

DHM Logo-Black-CL
Read Next
U.S. dairy exports continue to surge in 2026, with first-quarter volumes climbing 11% year-over-year as record cheese and butterfat demand helps absorb growing milk production.
Get News Daily
Get Market Alerts
Get News & Markets App