Fewer cattle and calves in Washington

Washington Ag February 3, 2009 Each January the National Agricultural Statistics Services issues an inventory of cattle and calves in the U.S. Nationally, that inventory was down two percent from January of 2008. In Washington it was down one percent with the total number of cattle and calves pegged at one-million 80-thousand head. Percentage wise beef cow and dairy cow numbers were unchanged from a year ago in Washington. Nationally beef cow numbers were down two percent, dairy cows up one percent. Replacement beef heifer numbers are down two percent nationally, down seven percent in Washington. Washington’s calf crop was down four percent in 2008 from 2007. The smaller U.S. cattle herd could mean higher beef prices later as steer prices are pushed up. However, USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagum says there may be a tug of war. Shagum: “A battle between the tighter supplies and any possible weakness in demand that may exist because of the economy.” The January 1st inventory of sheep and lambs in Washington was up two percent over a year ago at 53-thousand head. Nationally the inventory was down three percent. Washington Swine Information Day is coming up this Friday, February 6th, in Pasco at the Red Lion Hotel. The event offers educational sessions of interest to pork producers of any age and scale, including 4-H youth. The events featured speaker will be Mark Boggess, director of animal science for the National Pork Board. The all-day registration fee is $40. Find out more at www.animalag.wsu.edu I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.