News

July 1 cattle inventory lowest in more than 40 years

USDA reports the total U.S. cattle and calf inventory on July 1, 2014 was 95.000 million head, down 3% from the last report in 2012 and the lowest July 1 total since the series of reports started in 1973. The report was suspended in 2013 due to government sequestration. All cattle and calves on feed for slaughter were reported at 11.600 million head, a 6% decrease.

All cows and heifers that have calved came out at 39.000 million head, 2% lower than two years ago, with beef cows at 29.733 million head, down 3%, and milk cows at 9.267 million, up 1%. All heifers weighing 500 pounds and heavier were pegged at 14.900 million head, 5% below the previous report, with beef replacement heifers at 4.100 million head, 2% lower, milk replacement heifers at 3.900 million head, a decline of 5%, and other heifers at 6.900 million head, a drop of 7%.

Steers weighing 500 pound and heavier were 13.500 million head, down 4%, with bulls in the same weight class at 1.900 million head, statistically unchanged. Calves weighing less than 500 pounds came out at 25.700 million head, 4% lower.

The 2014 calf crop is projected at 33.600 million head, 1% less than 2013 and down 2% from 2012. Calves born during the first six months of the year were 24.300 million head, a decrease of 2% from a year ago and 3% below two years ago.