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Cattle inventory up 1%
USDA’s cattle inventory report is showing signs of expansion, with all major categories coming out above pre-report estimates. On January 1, 2015, all cattle and calves in the U.S. totaled 89.800 million head, 1% more than on January 1, 2014.
All cows and heifers that have calved were 39.000 million head, 2% above a year ago, including a 2% increase in beef cows to 29.693 million and a 1% rise in milk cows at 9.307 million head. Heifers weighing 500 pounds and over came out at 19.240 million head, 1% more than last year. Beef replacement heifers jumped 4% to 5.777 million head, with 3.546 million expected to calve, and milk replacement heifers were 1% larger at 4.615 million head, with 2.997 million expected to calve. Other heifers were 8.847 million head, slightly lower than a year ago.
Steers weighing 500 pounds and heavier were 15.779 million head, a 1% increase, with bulls weighing more than 500 pounds at 2.104 million head, up 3%, and calves weighing less than 500 pounds at 13.677 million head, up 1%.
The total number of cattle on feed was reported at 13.093 million head, a 1% year to year rise.
USDA adds the 2014 calf crop was 33.900 million head, 1% more than in 2013.
The numbers look bearish for live and feeder cattle futures.
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