The United States Department of Agriculture released its estimate of beginning of the year cattle numbers this afternoon.
Most notably, dairy replacement heifers totaled 4,527,000 head on January 1, or 41,000 fewer than a year ago. That’s a 1% decline. Of that number, 3,029,900 are expected to calve this year, 26,000 head fewer than in 2011.
For the full cattle report, click here.
USDA reported Monday that milk cow numbers are at 9.2 million, up 80,000 head or 1%, over a year ago. The December numbers were up 12,000 head over November.
