Cattle Inventory Estimates Show Expected Decline
We'll know tomorrow afternoon when USDA's Cattle Inventory report is released, but most analysts expect the nation's cattle herd to be 1.5% lower compared to year ago.
That estimate of a reduced herd is expected; however, what's not known is how much the drought in the Southern Plains impacted the cattle herds in those states. It will be interesting to see where the cattle declines were and where those animals moved to.
With this expected dip in numbers, most cattle industry analysts anticipate the herd to start rebuilding in 2012-2013. Rebuilding, however, will hinge on weather patterns this spring and summer and into 2013.
| Average of | Range of Estimates | |
|---|---|---|
| All cattle & calves | 98.5 | 97.4- 99.1 |
| Annual calf crop | 99.1 | 98.4- 99.5 |
| Total cows/heifers that have calved | 98.1 | 96.4- 99.2 |
| beef cows/heifers that have calved | 97.5 | 95.5- 98.8 |
| milk cows/heifers that have calved | 100.2 | 98.8-100.9 |
| Heifers 500 pounds and over | 99.6 | 98.3-101.1 |
| beef replacement heifers | 97.8 | 96.0- 99.8 |
| milk replacement heifers | 101.8 | 100.7-103.1 |
| other heifers | 99.4 | 96.8-101.8 |
| Steers 500 pounds and over | 98.7 | 97.7- 99.4 |
| Bulls 500 pounds and over | 97.5 | 95.2- 99.4 |
| Calves under 500 pounds | 97.9 | 97.2- 99.3 |
