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.

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