January 1 Cattle Inventory Up 2 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2006, 

totaled 97.1 million head, 2 percent above the 95.4 million on 

January 1, 2005. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 42.3 

million, were up 1 percent from the 41.9 million on January 1, 

2005. Beef cows, at 33.3 million, were up 1 percent from 

January 1, 2005. Milk cows, at 9.06 million, were up 1 percent 

from January 1, 2005. Other class estimates on January 1, 2006, 

and the change from January 1, 2005, are as follows: All heifers 

500 pounds and over, 20.0 million, up 2 percent. Beef 

replacement heifers, 5.90 million, up 4 percent. Milk 

replacement heifers, 4.28 million, up 4 percent. Other heifers, 

9.80 million, up slightly. Steers weighing 500 pounds and over, 

16.9 million, up 3 percent. Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over, 

2.26 million, up 2 percent. Calves under 500 pounds, 15.6 

million, up 2 percent. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in 

all feedlots, 14.1 million, up 3 percent. The combined total of 

calves under 500 pounds, and other heifers and steers over 500 

pounds outside of feedlots was 28.2 million, up 2 percent. 

Calf Crop Up 1 Percent

The 2005 calf crop was estimated at 37.8 million head, up 1 

percent from 2004. Calves born during the first half of the year 

are estimated at 27.4 million, up slightly from 2004. 

U.S. Cattle Operations Down 1 Percent 

The number of operations with cattle totaled 982,510 during 

2005, down 1 percent from 2004 and 3 percent below 2003. Beef 

cow operations in 2005 were down 1 percent from 2004 and 3 

percent below 2003. Milk cow operations were 4 percent below 

last year and 9 percent below two years ago. The three operation 

classes: cattle, beef cows, and milk cows, are classified into size 

groups independently. Therefore, it is possible to have more beef 

cow operations in a particular size group than cattle operations. 

As an example, an operator with 75 cattle and 40 beef cows 

would be classified in the 50-99 size group for cattle and 1-49 

size group for beef cows. 

**Revisions**

All inventory and calf crop estimates for July 1, 2004, January 1, 

2005, and July 1, 2005, were reviewed using calf crop, official 

slaughter, import and export data, and the relationship of new 

survey information to the prior surveys. Based on the findings of 

this review, small adjustments of less than one-half percent were 

made to previously released inventory estimates of all cattle, 

cows, steers, bulls, and calf crop. Revisions of less than one 

percent were made to heifers and calves. State level estimates 

were reviewed and changes were made to reallocate inventory 

and calf crop estimates to the U.S. total. Cattle on Feed estimates 

for January 1, 2005, were revised downward slightly based on the 

relationship of new survey information to the prior surveys. 

Cattle and Calves Inventory: January 1, 2005 – 2006 

1/ Total cattle on feed included in other classes. 

2/ Revised 2005 and initial 2006 Value per Head and Total Value will be available April 27, 2006. 

Published Monthly 

Subscription to “Arizona Livestock” is free to reporters upon request and available for $10 

per year to non-reporters. Send request for order forms or address changes to USDA, NASS 

- Arizona Field Office, 230 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 303, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1706. 

Releases are also available through our web site @ www.nass.usda.gov/az

 

Director 

Steve Manheimer

 Deputy Director 

Dave DeWalt

 Agricultural Statisticians: 

 Maria Bautista 

 Clare Jervis 

 Curt Stock 

 Jeff Lemmons 

Dianne Matta 

Arizona United States Class 2005 2006 2005 2006 

1,000 Head 1,000 Head

All Cattle and Calves 910.0 940.0 95,438 97,102

 Cows that have calved 340.0 355.0 41,920 42,311

 Beef Cows that have calved 175.0 190.0 32,915 33,253

 Milk Cows that have calved 165.0 165.0 9,005 9,058

Heifers 500 pounds and over 92.0 93.0 19,573 19,978

 Beef Cow replacement 28.0 30.0 5,691 5,905

 Milk Cow replacement 42.0 44.0 4,118 4,278

 Other 22.0 19.0 9,763 9,795

Steers 500 pounds and over 330.0 340.0 16,476 16,923

Bulls 500 pounds and over 23.0 22.0 2,219 2,263

Calves under 500 pounds 125.0 130.0 15,250 15,626

Cattle on feed 1/ 331.0 334.0 13,745 14,132

Dollars Dollars

Value per Head 2/ 1,020 916

1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars

Total Value 2/ 928,200 87,820,795

2004 2005 2004 2005

Operations Number Number

Cattle and Calves 2,700 2,600 989,460 982,510

Beef Cows 1,900 1,900 774,930 770,170

Milk Cows 230 210 81,520 78,295

 

1,000 Head 1,000 Head

Calf Crop 275.0 285.0 37,505 37,780

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

Arizona 

Annual Livestock 

Released March 15, 2006, by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Arizona Field 

Office and University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, 230 N 1st Avenue, Suite 303, Phoenix, 

Arizona 85003-1706, (602) 280-8850, Fax: (602) 280-8897, www.nass.usda.gov/az
Pork Production Sets Record High In 2005

Red meat production for the United States totaled 45.8 billion pounds in 

2005, slightly higher than the previous year. Red meat includes beef, veal, 

pork, and lamb and mutton. Red meat production in commercial plants 

totaled 45.7 billion pounds. On farm production totaled 135 million pounds. 

Beef production, totaled 24.8 billion pounds, slightly higher than the 

previous year. Veal production totaled 165 million pounds, down 6 percent 

from last year, setting a new record low. Pork production, at 20.7 billion 

pounds, was slightly higher than the previous year, setting a new record 

high. Lamb and mutton production set a new record low, totaling 191 

million pounds, 4 percent below the previous record low set a year ago. 

There were 806 plants slaughtering under federal inspection on January 1, 

2006 compared with 826 last year. Of these, 657 plants slaughtered at least 

one head of cattle during 2005 with the 13 largest plants slaughtering almost 

54 percent of the total cattle killed. Hogs were slaughtered at 630 plants, 

with the 13 largest plants accounting for slightly over 58 percent of the total. 

Likewise, 11 of the 227 plants that slaughtered calves accounted for nearly 

79 percent of the total and 4 of the 496 plants that slaughtered sheep or 

lambs in 2005 comprised about 67 percent of the total head. 

Commercial Red Meat Production: 2003 - 2005 1/ 

January-December 2/ Class 

2003 2004 2005 

Million Pounds

Arizona 

Total Red Meat 424.7 353.9 360.5

 

United States 

Beef 26,238 24,547 24,683

Veal 192 167 156

Pork 19,946 20,511 20,685

Lamb and Mutton 200 194 187

Total Red Meat 46,576 45,418 45,711

1/ Excludes slaughter on farms. 

2/ Based on packers; dressed weights. 

U.S. Hog Inventory Up Slightly

U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2005 was 61.2 million 

head. This was up slightly from December 1, 2004, but down 1 percent 

from September 1, 2005. 

Breeding inventory, at 6.01 million head, was up 1 percent from last year 

and last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 55.2 million head, was up slightly 

from last year but down 1 percent from last quarter. 

The September-November 2005 U.S. pig crop, at 26.1 million head, was up 

1 percent from 2004 and up 2 percent from 2003. Sows farrowing during 

this period totaled 2.89 million head, unchanged from last year. The sows 

farrowed during this quarter represented 48 percent of the breeding herd. 

The average pigs saved per litter was 9.03 for the September-November 

2005 period, compared to 8.96 last year. Pigs saved per litter by size of 

operation ranged from 7.50 for operations with 1-99 hogs and pigs to 9.10 

for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs. 

U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.88 million sows farrow during the 

December 2005-February 2006 quarter, up 1 percent from the actual 

farrowings during the same period in both 2005 and 2004. Intended 

farrowings for March-May 2006, at 2.89 million sows, are up slightly from 

2005 and up 1 percent from 2004. 

The total number of hogs under contract, owned by operations with over 

5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 39 percent of the total 

U.S. hog inventory, up from 38 percent from last year. 

** Revisions **

All inventory and pig crop estimates for March 2004 through September 

2005 were reviewed using final pig crop, official slaughter, death loss, and 

updated import and export data. Based on the findings of this review, small 

adjustments of less than one-half of one percent were made to the June 2005 

total inventory, September 2005 total inventory and to the March-May 2005 

pig crop. 

Hogs and Pigs Inventory: December 1, 2004 – 2005 

1/ December 1, preceding year through November.

2/ Revised 2004 and initial 2005 Value per Head and Total Value will be 

available April 27, 2006. 

United States Honey Production Down 5 Percent

Honey production in 2005 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 

175 million pounds, down 5 percent from 2004. There were 2.41 million 

colonies producing honey in 2005, down 6 percent from 2004. Yield per 

colony averaged 72.5 pounds, up 1 percent from the 71.8 pounds in 2004. 

Colonies which produced honey in more than one State were counted in 

each State where the honey was produced, therefore yields per colony may 

be understated. Colonies were not included if honey was not harvested. 

Producer honey stocks were 62.4 million pounds on December 15, 2005, up 

2 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude stocks held 

under the commodity loan program. 

Honey Prices Down 15 Percent 

Honey prices decreased during 2005 to 90.4 cents, down 15 percent from 

106.9 cents in 2004. Prices are based on retail sales by producers and sales 

to private processors and cooperatives. State level honey prices reflect the 

portions of honey sold through retail, co-op and private channels. Honey 

prices for each color class are derived by weighing quantities sold for each 

marketing channel. Honey prices for 2005 were lower than the previous 

year for all color class totals. 

Honey Production: 2004 – 2005 

Arizona United States Item 2004 2005 2004 2005 

Number of Honey 

Producing Colonies 1/ 

(1,000 Colonies) 32 36 2,556 2,410 

Yield per Colony 

(Pounds) 55 50 71.8 72.5 

Production 

(1,000 Pounds) 1,760 1,800 183,582 174,643 

Stocks Dec. 15 2/ 

(1,000 Pounds) 774 720 61,222 62,406 

Average Price per Pound 

(Cents) 111 97 106.9 90.4 

Value of Production 

(1,000 Dollars) 1,954 1,746 196,259 157,795 

1/ For producers with 5 or more colonies. 

2/ Stocks held by producers. 

Arizona United States Item 2004 2005 2004 2005

1,000 Head 1,000 Head

All Hogs and Pigs 150 142 60,975 61,197

 Breeding 16 15 5,969 6,011

 Market 134 127 55,005 55,186

Market Hogs and Pigs

by Weight Groups

 Under 60 Lbs 47 46 19,980 19,955

 60-119 Lbs 29 27 13,439 13,552

 120-179 Lbs 29 27 11,186 11,266

 180 Lbs and over 29 27 10,401 10,414

Annual Farrowings 1/

 Sows farrowing 32 30 11,498 11,504

 Pigs per litter 9.34 9.20 8.94 9.01

 Pig Crop 299.0 276.0 102,780 103,685

Number Number

Operations with Hogs

and Pigs 180 180 69,500 67,330

Dollars Dollars

Value per Head 2/ 110 102

1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars

Total Value 2/ 14,960 6,163,286
Total Sheep and Lamb Inventory Up 2 Percent

All sheep and lamb inventory in the United States on January 

1, 2006, totaled 6.23 million head, up 2 percent from both 

2005 and 2004. The inventory began increasing in 2005 and 

has shown two consecutive year to year increases for the first 

time since 1987 and 1988. 

Breeding sheep inventory increased to 4.64 million head on 

January 1, 2006, up 2 percent from 4.53 million head on 

January 1, 2005. Ewes one year old and older, at 3.66 million 

head, were 2 percent above last year. 

Market sheep and lambs on January 1, 2006, totaled 1.59 

million head, down 1 percent from January 1, 2005. Market 

lambs comprised 95 percent of the total marketings. Twentyseven percent were lambs under 65 pounds, 14 percent were 65 

- 84 pounds, 24 percent were 85 - 105 pounds, and 35 percent 

were over 105 pounds. Market sheep comprised the remaining 

5 percent of total marketings. 

The 2005 lamb crop of 4.13 million head, was up 1 percent 

from 2004. The 2005 lambing rate was 115 lambs per 100 

ewes one year old and older on January 1, 2005, up 2 percent 

from 2004. 

Shorn wool production in the United States during 2005 was 

37.2 million pounds, down 1 percent from 2004. Sheep and 

lambs shorn totaled 5.07 million head, down slightly from 

2004. The average price paid for wool sold in 2005 was $0.71 

per pound for a total value of 26.3 million dollars, down 12 

percent from 29.9 million dollars in 2004. 

The number of operations with sheep totaled 68,280 during 

2005, up 1 percent from both 2004 and 2003. Of all sheep 

operations that include breeding sheep, 90.8 percent were 

comprised of 1-99 head, 7.6 percent had 100-499 head, and the 

remaining 1.6 percent were operations with 500 head or more. 

Operations with 1-99 head account for 28.7 percent of the 

inventory, 100-499 head account for 24.0 percent of the 

inventory, and 500+ head account for 47.3 percent of the 

inventory. 

Total Goat and Kid Inventory Up 4 Percent

All goat inventory in the United States on January 1, 2006, 

totaled 2.83 million head, up 4 percent from 2005. Breeding 

goat inventory totaled 2.35 million head up 4 percent from 

2005. All market goats and kids totaled 471,800 head, up 4 

percent from a year ago. On January 1, 2006 meat and all 

other goats totaled 2.26 million head, up 5 percent from 2005. 

Milk goat inventory increased 1 percent to 288,000 head while 

angora goats were down 1 percent totaling 278,000 head. The 

2005 kid crop totaled 1.84 million head for all goats, up 4 

percent from 2004.

U.S. Chicken and Egg Production Highlights 

U.S. Average Number of Layers Up Slightly: Layer numbers 

during 2005 averaged 344 million, up slightly from the year 

earlier. The annual average production per layer on hand in 

2005 was 262 eggs, up slightly from the 2004 average of 261. 

U.S. Egg Production Up 1 Percent: Egg production during the 

year ending November 30, 2005 totaled a record high 90.0 

billion eggs, up 1 percent from 2004. Table egg production, at 

76.9 billion eggs, was up 1 percent from the previous year. 

Hatching egg production, at 13.1 billion eggs, up 2 percent 

from 2004. 

U.S. December 1 Inventory Numbers: The total number of 

chickens on hand on December 1, 2005 (excluding commercial 

broilers) was 453 million birds, down slightly from last year. 

U.S. Total Value: The total value of all chickens on December 

1, 2005 was $1.13 billion, up 1 percent from December 1, 

2004. The average value increased from $2.48 per bird on 

December 1, 2004, to $2.50 per bird on December 1, 2005. 

All Sheep and Lambs Inventory: January 1, 2005 - 2006 

Arizona United States Class 2005 2006 2005 2006 

1,000 Head 1,000 Head 

All Sheep and Lambs 100.0 105.0 6,135.0 6,230.0 

Breeding Sheep and Lambs 60.0 70.0 4,533.0 4,639.0 

 Ewes 50.0 57.0 3,572.5 3,657.0 

 Rams 3.0 4.0 190.0 196.0 

 Replacement Lambs 7.0 9.0 770.5 786.0 

Market Sheep and Lambs 40.0 35.0 1,602.0 1,591.0 

 Sheep 2.0 2.0 74.1 76.0 

 Lambs 38.0 33.0 1,527.9 1,515.0 

 under 65 Pounds 15.0 14.0 413.2 416.3 

 65 to 84 Pounds 6.0 4.0 214.7 210.4 

 85 to 105 Pounds 9.0 9.0 381.9 362.4 

 over 105 Pounds 8.0 6.0 518.1 525.9 

 

Dollars Dollars 

Value per Head 1/ 135 130 

 

1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars 

Total Value 1/ 13,500 799,288 

 

 2004 2005 2004 2005 

Number Number 

Operations with Sheep and 

 Lambs 260 250 67,580 68,280 

1,000 Head 1,000 Head 

Lamb Crop 40.0 42.0 4,096.0 4,125.0 

1/ Revised 2005 and initial 2006 Value pre Head and Total Value will be available April 

27, 2006. 

Goat Inventory: January 1, 2005 - 2006 

Arizona United States Item 2005 2006 2005 2006 

1,000 Head 1,000 Head 

Angora 26.0 25.5 280.0 278.0 

Milk 1.0 1.0 285.0 288.0 

Meat & Other 0.4 0.4 2,150.0 2,260.0 

Dollars Dollars 

Value per Head (Angora) 1/ 70.00 67.20 

1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars 

Total Value 1/ 1,610 16,330 

1/ Revised 2005 and initial 2006 Value pre Head and Total Value will be available April 

27, 2006.

Wool: Production, Price, and Value, Arizona and United States, 2004 - 2005 

Arizona United States Item 2004 2005 2004 2005 

1,000 Head 1,000 Head 

Sheep Shorn 90.0 95.0 5,073.0 5,072.0 

Pounds Pounds

Weight per Fleece 6.4 5.9 7.4 7.3 

1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds 

Production 580 560 37,622 37,232 

Dollars Dollars 

Price Per Pound 0.30 0.30 0.80 0.71 

1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars 

Value 1/ 174 168 29,921 26,272 

1/ Production multiplied by marketing year average price. U.S. value is summation of 

States value. 

Mohair: Production, Price, and Value, Arizona and United States, 2004 - 2005 

Arizona United States Item 2004 2005 2004 2005 

1,000 Head 1,000 Head 

Goats Clipped 25.0 25.0 272.5 273.0 

Pounds Pounds

Average Clip per Goat 5.0 4.8 7.2 6.7 

1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds 

Production 125 120 1,954 1,822 

Dollars Dollars 

Price per Pound 1.10 1.10 1.96 2.78 

1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars 

Value 1/ 138 132 3,832 5,074 

1/ Production multiplied by marketing year average price. U.S. value is summation of 

States value. 
United States Department of Agriculture 

NASS – Arizona Field Office 

230 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 303 

Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706 

------------------------------------ 

OFFICIAL BUSINESS 

Penalty For Private Use $300 

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 

www.nass.usda.gov/

Farms and Land in Farms Decline Slightly in 2005 

The number of farms in the United States in 2005 is estimated at 2.1 

million, 0.6 percent fewer than in 2004. Total land in farms, at 933.4 

million acres, decreased 2.9 million acres, or 0.3 percent, from 2004. The 

average farm size was 444 acres during 2005, an increase of one acre 

from the previous year. The decline in the number of farms and land in 

farms reflects a continuing consolidation in farming operations and 

diversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses. 

Farm numbers and land in farms are broken down into five economic 

sales classes. Farms and ranches are classified into these "sales classes" 

by summing their sales of agricultural products and government program 

payments. Sales class breaks occur at $10,000, $100,000, $250,000, and 

$500,000. 

Farm numbers declined in the three smallest sales classes and rose in the 

two largest sales classes. Part of the decline in the smaller sales classes 

was due to normal attrition, such as retirements. In addition, some 

operations transferred to larger sales classes by enterprise expansion. 

However, the majority of the changes in the sales classes were likely due 

to rising incomes. Many farms and ranches near the top of their sales 

class in 2004 moved into the next higher sales class in 2005 without 

adding land or otherwise expanding their operations. 

The largest percentage changes from 2004 occurred in the smallest and 

largest sales classes. Farm numbers declined 1.1 percent, to 1.17 million 

farms, in the $1,000 - $9,999 sales class. Meanwhile, farm numbers 

increased 3.8 percent, to 79,410 farms, in the $500,000 or more sales 

class. The number of farms with less than $250,000 in sales fell 0.8 

percent from 2004 and the number of farms with $250,000 or more in 

sales rose 2.4 percent. 

Land in farms also shifted from lower sales classes to higher sales 

classes. In the $1,000-$9,999 sales class, land in farms dropped 2.1 

percent, to 118.4 million acres, while land operated by farms in the 

largest sales class, $500,000 or more in sales, increased 3.0 percent, to 

209.9 million acres. Farms with under $250,000 in sales operated 571.3 

million acres, or 1.7 percent fewer acres than 2004. Farmers in the two 

largest sales classes, representing operations with sales of $250,000 or 

more, operated 362.2 million acres, up 2.0 percent from 2004. 

Over all, the average farm size increased in 2005. However, average 

farm sizes declined in the sales classes due to smaller farms moving up to 

higher sales classes.

Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size: By Western State and United States, 2003-2005 

Western Number of Farms Land in Farms Average Farm Size 

States 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005 

Number 1,000 Acres Acres 

AK 610 620 640 900 900 900 1,475 1,452 1,406 

AZ 1/ 10,300 10,200 10,100 26,500 26,400 26,200 2,573 2,588 2,594 

CA 78,500 77,000 76,500 27,100 26,700 26,400 345 347 345 

CO 31,400 30,900 30,500 31,000 30,900 30,700 987 1,000 1,007 

HI 5,500 5,500 5,500 1,300 1,300 1,300 236 236 236 

ID 25,000 25,000 25,000 11,800 11,800 11,800 472 472 472 

MT 28,000 28,000 28,000 60,100 60,100 60,100 2,146 2,146 2,146 

NV 3,000 3,000 3,000 6,300 6,300 6,300 2,100 2,100 2,100 

NM 1/ 17,500 17,500 17,500 44,700 44,700 44,500 2,554 2,554 2,543 

OR 40,000 40,000 40,000 17,200 17,200 17,100 430 430 428 

UT 15,300 15,300 15,200 11,600 11,600 11,600 758 758 763 

WA 35,500 35,000 34,500 15,300 15,200 15,100 431 434 438 

WY 9,200 9,200 9,200 34,440 34,440 34,400 3,743 3,743 3,739 

Total West 299,810 297,220 295,640 288,240 287,540 286,400 961 967 969 

 

US 2,126,860 2,112,970 2,100,990 938,650 936,295 933,400 441 443 444 

1/ Includes accounting for individual farms on reservation land. 

PRESORTED STANDARD

POSTAGE & FEES PAID 

USDA 

PERMIT NO. G-38