While a small cattle/calf inventory was anticipated, USDA’s numbers came in slightly lower than the average trade guess. That gives the report data a friendly tone as the U.S. herd remains the smallest in over a half century.
Also supportive is the beef replacement heifer category, which came in at 100% of year-ago. While that signals cow/calf operators are holding back more heifers than they were, they still are holding back enough to build the herd. And with pasture conditions worsening, it’s likely any plans to expand the herd will be put on hold until the drought is broken.
Semiannual Cattle Inventory Report
| USDA
| Avg. trade guess
| Range
|
| % of year-ago | |||
All cattle & calves | 98 | 98.6
| 97.9-99.5
|
Annual calf crop | 98 | 98.4
| 98.0-99.2
|
Total Cows/heifers calved | 98 | 98.4
| 97.8-99.5
|
beef cows/heifers calved | 97 | 97.9
| 97.1-99.0
|
milk cows/heifers calved | 100 | 100.3
| 99.7-101.0
|
Heifers 500 lbs. and over | 98 | 99.3
| 98.7-100.0
|
Beef replacement heifers | 100 | 101.3
| 100.6-102.4
|
Milk replacement heifers | 98 | 99.5
| 98.8-100.0
|
Other heifers | 97 | 98.3
| 96.7-101.0
|
Steers 500 pounds and over | 99 | 99.2
| 98.2-100.0
|
Bulls 500 pounds and over | 95 | 97.1
| 95.0-99.0
|
Calves under 500 pounds | 97 | 97.9
| 97.3-98.5
|
