USDA Cattle Inventory Report

January USDA’s Cattle and Calves Inventory

I’m KayDee Gilkey with today’s Open Range.

The latest USDA inventory of the nation's cattle herd has some startling numbers as USDA Livestock analyst Shayle Shagam shares an overview.
Shagam: “On January 1, 2013, USDA estimated the total number of cattle and calves was 89.3 million head, which is about 2 percent below 2012 and the lowest number since 1952. When we look at total cows in the U.S. they were down about 2 percent the lowest since 1941. In terms of beef cows we are talking about 29.3 million head, which is down about 3 percent from a year ago. While the number milk cows was 9.2 million head which was about unchanged from a year ago.”
One beacon of hope for expansion was the beef replacement heifer numbers increased 2 percent over last year to 5.4 million on Jan 1 2013. Although many ranchers may be planning to expand their herd, Shagam says
Shagam: “There is a feeling of underlying uncertainty. It’s obvious that the producers recognize if you have the opportunity to expand your herds this is the time to do that.”
The forage situation will continue to be a concern as we move through 2013 with nearly 60 percent of the nation’s hay ground still in drought and record low hay supplies.