USDA’s twice a year cattle inventory numbers show even fewer U.S. cattle than expected.
All cattle and calves as of January 1 totaled 90.8 million head, down 2% on the year when on average, analysts were expecting a 1.5% decline.
That is the lowest total U.S. cattle and calf herd since the 88.1 million head inventory on January 1, 1952.
All cows and heifers that have calved were pegged at 39.1 million head, a 2% decrease, with beef cows down 3% at 29.9 million head and milk cows up 1% at 9.2 million.
Heifers weighing 500 pounds and up were 1% below a year ago at 19.4 million head, with beef replacement heifers up 1% at 5.2 million head, milk replacement heifers at 4.5 million head, down 1%, and other heifers decreased 2% to 9.6 million head.
Steers weighing 500 pounds and heavier were 16.1 million head, 2% lower than last year, with bulls 500 pounds and up at 2.1 million head, a 5% year to year drop.
Calves weighing less than 500 pounds declined 3% to 14.1 million head and slaughter cattle and calves on feed pegged at 14.1 million head, a 1% increase.
The combined number of calves weighing less than 500 pound and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds outside of the feedlots were 25.7 million head, down 4% from January 1, 2010.
The 2011 calf crop came out at 35.3 million head, down 1% from 2010 and the smallest annual calf crop since 1950.
USDA estimates calves born during the first half of last year were 25.7 million head, 1% less than during the first half of 2010.
Allendale’s David Kohli says that aside from the dairy cow numbers, the report is bullish.
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