News

U.S. cattle inventory up 1% on year

 

The USDA says the cattle herd at the start of 2018 was 94.399 million head, up 1% from the start of 2017. That confirms the continued re-expansion of the industry from drought and points toward industry expectations for strong domestic and export demand for beef.

All cattle and calves on feed headed to slaughter were 7% above last year at 14.006 million and the 2017 calf crop was 2% larger than in 2016 at 35.808 million.

All heifers and cows that have calved were up 1% to 41.123 million head, including a 2% increase in beef cows at 31.723 million and 1% rise for milk cows to 9.4 million head. Heifers weighing more than 500 pounds were 1% above a year ago at 20.245 million head, with a 1% increase in milk replacement heifers to 4.781 million and 4% jump in other heifers to 9.332 million head cancelling out a 4% decrease in beef replacement heifers to 6.131 million head. Beef replacement cows expected to calve were down 5% at 3.771 million head and milk replacement heifers expected to calve were 1% lower at 3.038 million.

Steers weighing more than 500 pounds were down slightly at 16.352 million head, while bulls heavier than 500 pounds and calves lighter than 500 pounds were both up a little at 2.252 million and 14.427 million head, respectively.