1 

Overview of U.S. Livestock, Poultry, and Aquaculture Production in 2010 and Statistics on 

Major Commodities 

Available Statistics 

Official statistics for U.S. livestock, poultry, and aquaculture populations are published by the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

These statistics are based on the Census of Agriculture conducted every 5 years (e.g., 2002 and 

2007) and sample surveys conducted monthly, quarterly, or annually as determined by the 

particular commodity. 

The Census of Agriculture, which is a complete enumeration of the entire agricultural segment of 

the economy, is the only source of detailed, county-level data of all farms and ranches in all 50 

States selling or intending to sell agricultural products worth $1,000 or more in a year. Census 

2007 reports are available at: (http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/). 

 

The massive data-collecting, editing, and summarizing effort required to prepare the Census 

naturally results in a publication lag. Sample survey estimates and final Census reports rarely 

show exactly the same numbers. However, the ongoing sample surveys provide the most up-todate statistics between the Census years and are themselves subject to revision when current-year 

estimates are made. For these reasons, statistics in the 2009 Animal Health Report for one year 

compared to similar statistics published for 2009 in the 2010 Animal Health Report, may not 

always match. 

Number of Farms 

 

Estimates for the number of U.S. farms were based on the definition of a farm as “any 

establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would be 

normally sold during the year.” In general, there were fewer farms in the western half of the 

United States; however, western farms and ranches were generally larger than those in the 

eastern half of the United States as reported by the 2007 Census of Agriculture (map 1). A 

higher percentage of land area in the Central United States was dedicated to land in farms. In 
2 

2010, there were 2.2 million farms, virtually unchanged from 2009. Total land in farms was 

920.0 million acres in 2010, which represents an increase of 100,000 acres from 2009. The 

average farm size was 418 acres in 2010, unchanged from the previous year. 

Map 1 

Relative Magnitude of Industries, by Value of Production 

The 2007 Census of Agriculture showed the Central and Eastern States had a higher value of 

livestock and poultry compared with the Western States (map 2). In recent years, the total value 

of production has been split nearly equally between crop and livestock (and poultry) production. 

In the 2007 Census of Agriculture, 51.7 percent of total value of production came from livestock 

and poultry. The coastal areas and North Central portions of the United States generally made a 

smaller livestock and poultry contribution to the total market value. These areas had heavy 

concentrations of crop, fruit, and vegetable products. 
3 

Map 2

Table A1.1 shows that poultry contributed 28.8 percent of the total value of livestock, poultry, 

and their products (fig. A1.1). Table A1.2 identifies specific major livestock, poultry, and crop 

commodity values for 2010. Livestock and poultry accounted for less than half the total value of 

production (38.5 percent). 

All cattle

Milk from milk cows

Poultry

Hogs and pigs

Catfish and trout

Sheep, lambs, and wool

Honey

30.7%

26.2%

28.8%

13.3%

0.4%

0.2% 0.4%

Fig. A1.1: Value of production in 2010: specific commodities as a percentage of 

respective total livestock, poultry, and their products
4 

Introduction to the Livestock, Poultry, and Aquaculture Industries 

In 2010, almost half the farms in the United States had cattle and calves (935,000). (USDA 

defines a cattle operation as any place having one or more head of cattle on hand at any time 

during the year.) Only a small number of cattle operations (62,500) were dairies (milk 

production). The value of production for cattle and calves was roughly $37.0 billion. In 

addition, the value of milk production was about $31.5 billion, 28.8 percent higher than in 2009. 

The poultry industries were the next largest commodity in the United States, with production 

valued at around $34.7 billion. Numbers were roughly similar for operations with hogs and 

operations with sheep (69,100 and 81,000, respectively), although the comparative values of 

production were dissimilar (table A1.1). 

Cattle and Calves (Beef and Dairy) 

The Nation’s nearly 100 million cattle and calves (beef and dairy) are dispersed widely across 

the country, with a greater concentration generally in the Central States (map 3). 

Map 3
5 

Overall, the number of cattle and calves in the United States increased from 30.1 million in 1869 

reaching a peak at 132.0 million in 1975. In the last 3 years, the Nation’s inventory of cattle and 

calves has seen a steady decline to 92.6 million on January 1, 2011. 

The number of operations with cattle (or calves) has declined steadily during the past 15 years, 

from 1.2 million in 1995 to 935,000 in 2010. A similar decline has also occurred in the number 

of beef cow operations, from 897,660 in 1995 to 742,000 in 2010. The decrease in the number 

of cattle operations is due primarily to the decline in the number of operations with fewer than 50 

head of cattle. 

In 2010, small cattle operations (1–49 head) accounted for 67.9 percent of all operations but only 

11.4 percent of the total inventory of cattle and calves. Large operations (1,000 or more head) 

accounted for just 1.1 percent of all operations but accounted for 34.5 percent of the total U.S. 

inventory of cattle and calves (fig. A1.2, table A1.3). 

0

20

40

60

80

Percent inventory

Percent operations

67.9

13.8 15.2

2.0 1.1

11.4 9.6

31.0

13.5

34.5

Fig. A1.2: Cattle and calves: percent operations and inventory by herd size

2010 operations = 935,000

Jan. 1, 2011, inventory = 92.58 million

1–49 50–99 100–499 500–999 1,000+

Herd size
6 

Milk Cows—Dairy 

In the United States, milk cows are concentrated in California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and States 

in the Northeast. 

The U.S. population of milk cows has remained relatively stable over the last 10 years; however, 

the January 1, 2011, inventory of 9.1 million head was up 1 percent from the previous year. 

Over the previous decade the number of milk cows has remained rather stable, ranging from 9.0 

to 9.3 million. In contrast, the number of operations with milk cows in 2010 (62,500) was only 

56.4 percent of the number of operations in 1999 (110,855). Large operations (500 or more milk 

cows) were a small percentage of all operations, but a large percentage of the total number of 

milk cows (fig. A1.3). 

0

20

40

60

80

Percent inventory

Percent operations

Fig. A1.3: Milk cows: percent operations and inventory by herd size

2010 operations = 62,500

Jan. 1, 2011, inventory = 9.15 million

1–29 30–49 50–99 100–199 500+

Herd size

200–499

32.0

1.7

24.8

11.8

17.6

4.7

13.8 12.3

6.4

12.8

5.4

56.7
7 

Annual milk production per cow increased from 17,763 pounds in 1999 to 21,149 pounds in 

2010, a 19-percent increase. Table A1.4 documents dairy production for 2009 and 2010. 

Beef Cows 

Beef cows are distributed widely across the United States. In general, however, States in the 

central part of the Nation have a higher number of beef cows. 

The declining trend in the number of beef cows (30.9 million, down 2 percent from January 1, 

2010) follows the overall trend shown for the total inventory of cattle and calves. Beef cows 

accounted for 77.1 percent of the total cow inventory on January 1, 2011. 

In 2010, 742,000 operations in the United States had beef cows. The number of operations with 

beef cows has declined gradually since 1996 (1 to 2 percent per year). This decrease is most 

notable in the number of small operations (1–49 head). Following a common trend seen in other 

livestock commodities, the population of beef cows on large operations (100 or more head) has 

increased and now accounts for 54.6 percent of total U.S. beef cow inventory as of January 1, 

2011 (table A1.5). These large operations account for only 9.7 percent of all beef cow 

operations in the United States but have more than one-half the total beef cow inventory. 

Cattle on Feed 

Cattle on feed are fed a ration of grain or other concentrate in preparation for slaughter, and the 

majority are in feedlots in States with large grain supplies. 

On January 1, 2011, three States (Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas) accounted for over one-half 

(55.6 percent) of the inventory of cattle on feed in all feedlots. Large numbers of cattle on feed 

are in relatively few feedlots; 135 feedlots (0.2 percent of all feedlots) accounted for 41.4 percent 

of the total U.S. cattle-on-feed inventory (table A1.6). Inventory numbers in feedlots typically 

reach high points in December, January, and February and low points in August and September 

because of the seasonal availability of grazing resources and the predominance of spring-born 

calves. As a result, commercial cattle slaughter typically reaches a high point in May and June. 
8 

Steers and heifers accounted for 79.1 percent of 2010 federally inspected cattle slaughter. Of the 

34.2 million head of commercially inspected cattle slaughter, 98.4 percent were federally 

inspected (table A1.14). 

Hogs 

Historically, hog production has been most common in the upper Midwest. On December 1, 

2010, Iowa, the largest hog-producing State, had 29.4 percent of the U.S. inventory of all hogs 

and pigs. During the past two decades, North Carolina has increased its production and is now 

the Nation’s second-largest hog-producing State, with 13.7 percent of the inventory. The 

practice of shipping pigs from production areas (e.g., North Carolina) to grower–finisher areas in 

the upper Midwest continued in 2010. 

In the United States, hog and pig inventory levels are estimated and published quarterly 

(December, March, June, and September). Over the past decade, the U.S. inventory of all hogs 

and pigs has fluctuated from quarter to quarter. During the period from 1996 to 2001, a greater 

degree of change was shown from quarter to quarter, compared with the quarter-to-quarter 

variation shown in the last 5 years. Typically, inventory numbers reach a low point on March 1 

and peak on September 1. The number kept for breeding decreased by 1.2 percent during the last 

decade to 5.78 million head on December 1, 2010. 

In 2 of the last 3 years, the number of hogs slaughtered commercially reached a low point in 

June, then increased until peaking in October in preparation for the holiday season (fig. A1.4). 

Commercial hog slaughter totaled 110.3 million head in 2010, 3 percent lower than 2009. 
9 

The number of operations with hogs (and pigs) declined steadily during the past decade, 

decreasing by 21.0 percent over the last 10 years (since 2000). The majority of hog operations 

(70.9 percent) had fewer than 100 head, but these operations accounted for only 0.8 percent of 

the inventory. During the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of large 

operations (5,000 or more head), with the exception of a slight decline in 2003. Large operations 

(4.5 percent of all operations) now maintain more than half (61.0 percent) of the U.S. hog 

inventory. 

In 2010, the United States had 69,100 hog operations with a production value of $16.1 billion 

(table A1.7). 

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

2010

2009

2008

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1,000 head

Fig. A1.4: Hogs: U.S. commercial slaughter, by month, 2008–10
10 

Sheep and Goats 

The U.S. sheep industry is located primarily in the Western and Central States. Typically, the 

Western States are characterized by large range flocks, whereas those in the Central and Eastern 

States are mostly small, fenced flocks. 

The number of sheep has declined steadily since the late 1980s (10.9 million head in 1988) with 

the exception of a brief peak in inventory in 1990 (11.4 million head); however, there were small 

increases noted on both January 1, 2005, and January 1, 2006, followed by decreases on January 

1 of the next 4 years. Total sheep and lamb inventory on January 1, 2011, was 5.53 million head. 

The number of operations with sheep since the late 1980s has declined gradually, from 113,640 

in 1987 to 81,000 in 2010. However, only a 1-percent decrease was shown between 2009 and 

2010. 

Over one-third of the sheep and lamb inventory (35.8 percent) is located on small operations (1-

99 head); 93.8 percent of the 81,000 total operations had fewer than 100 head of sheep and lambs 

(table A1.8). Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter totaled 2.5 million head in 2010. Slaughter 

typically peaks in March or April. 

There were 3.00 million goats in the United States on January 1, 2011, which represents a 1-

percent decrease from the January 1, 2010, population. Breeding goats accounted for 2.5 million 

head and there were 514,000 market goats and kids. Breeding goats were comprised of 1.8 

million does, 185,000 bucks, and 459,000 replacement kids under 1 year old. The number of 

kids born during 2010 was estimated at 1.91 million head. The number of Angora goats 

increased 6.8 percent, while the number of milk goats increased 1.1 percent (172,000 and 

360,000 head, respectively). Meat and other goats totaled 2.5 million head, down 2.1 percent 

from 2010. 

Poultry Industries 
11 

The poultry industries are economically important to the Eastern States—especially the 

Southeastern States (map 4). The value of poultry and eggs is a high percentage of the total 

value of agricultural products sold in these States. In terms of value of production, the broiler 

segment of the poultry industries dominates other segments—eggs, turkeys, and chickens 

(excluding broilers). Broilers account for over two-thirds of the value of production (fig. A1.5). 

The quantity of production for each segment has increased rapidly over the past 50 years. 

Map 4 
12 

Broiler production is concentrated heavily in the Southeast, whereas layers are dispersed more 

widely over the Central and Eastern States. 

Turkey production is concentrated in the eastern half of the United States. Arkansas, North 

Carolina, and Minnesota accounted for 43.0 percent of the 244 million turkeys raised in 2010. 

The broiler and layer industries are characterized by a relatively small number of large 

companies. USDA does not provide annual estimates of the number of companies or production 

sites. The value of broiler production was 68.4 percent of the $34.7 billion poultry industries’ 

production in 2010. Egg production accounted for 18.8 percent of the total value of production 

(table A1.9). 

Hatchery statistics for 2010 include 9.28 billion broiler-type chickens hatched, 489 million eggtype chicks hatched, and 281 million poults hatched in turkey hatcheries. The collective capacity 

0

10

20

30

Chickens

Turkeys

Eggs

Broilers

2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2002

Billion

dollars

Fig. A1.5: U.S. value of production: broilers, eggs,

turkeys, chickens, and total, 2000–10
13 

of the 312 chicken hatcheries on January 1, 2011, was 895 million eggs, and the capacity of the 

50 turkey hatcheries was 38.0 million eggs. 

More than 99 percent of total U.S. poultry slaughter of the major species is done in federally 

inspected slaughter plants. 

In 2010, approximately 310 plants slaughtered poultry under Federal inspection. Young 

chickens were slaughtered in 38 States and young turkeys were slaughtered in 26 States. 

Slaughter of young chickens1

 accounted for 85.5 percent of the total live weight of poultry 

slaughtered in 2010. The average live weight of young chickens slaughtered has steadily 

increased over the previous decade, ranging from 4.99 pounds in 2000 to 5.70 pounds in 2010. 

Equine Industry 

Statistics on the demographics of the U.S. equine industry are sparse. USDA does not have an 

equine statistics program; the only estimates available for the entire domestic equine population 

date from 1998 and 1999. 

The 2007 Census of Agriculture estimated 4.03 million horses and ponies reported on 575,942 

farms. There is a broad and even distribution of horses and ponies across the United States. The 

2007 Census also reported 283,806 mules, burros, and donkeys located on 99,746 farms. Note: 

These estimates do not include equids on nonfarm places. The current definition of a farm, first 

used in 1974, is a place that could or did actually sell $1,000 of agricultural products annually. 

In addition, as of 1987 any operation that has five or more equids (other than commercial 

enterprises such as race tracks) qualifies as a farm, even if it has no other agricultural activity. 

The Census figures may be compared with the last statistics published by USDA for equine 

inventories on all places. As of January 1, 1998, the inventory of equids on both farms and 

nonfarms totaled 5.25 million head. A year later, that figure was 5.32 million head (table A1.9). 

 

1

 Young chickens are commercially grown broilers, fryers, and other young, immature birds (e.g., roasters and 

capons). 
14 

In addition, 39.1 percent of the January 1, 1998, total was estimated to be on nonfarm locations. 

The estimated value of equine sales was $1.64 billion for 1997 and $1.75 billion for 1998. 

 

USDA publishes no estimates for the number of all operations with equids and collects no 

information by size of equid operation for the United States. 

Fish and Other Aquaculture Products 

The 2007 Census of Agriculture estimated the value of aquaculture products (domestic farmraised) sold at $1.4 billion or about 1 percent of the total $153.6 billion sales for all livestock, 

poultry, and their products in the United States. Combined catfish and trout sold accounted for 

47.1 percent of the $1.4 billion total. NASS collects information on the catfish and trout 

industries through monthly catfish processing surveys, semiannual catfish production surveys, 

and an annual trout survey (table A1.11). Domestic catfish production in 2010 was concentrated 

in the Southern States, with Mississippi accounting for 54.1 percent of total sales. The total 

value of catfish sales for 2010 was $402.6 million, which was up 8.1 percent from 2010 (table 

A1.11). Food-size catfish accounted for 93.2 percent of total sales. 

Domestic trout production was dispersed more widely across the United States. Idaho accounted 

for 48.9 percent of total value of fish sold, followed by North Carolina at 8.7 percent. The total 

value of all trout sales, both fish and eggs, was $78.4 million in 2010—a decrease of 5.4 percent 

from 2009. 

Honey Production 

In 2010, honey production from producers with five or more colonies totaled 175.9 million 

pounds, which represents a 20.1-percent increase from 2009 (table A1.12; fig. A1.6). A 9-

percent increase in honey prices, resulted in a 2010 value of production of $282.0 million, up 

30.7 percent from the previous year. The distribution of honey production is widespread across 

the United States, although North Dakota accounted for 26.4 percent of the total production. 
15 

Miscellaneous 

The 2007 Census of Agriculture reported several miscellaneous livestock and poultry 

commodities, which are shown in table A1.13. 

Number of Livestock Slaughter Plants in the United States 

On January 1, 2011, there were 841 federally inspected U.S. slaughter plants. Federally 

inspected plants are those that transport meat interstate and must employ Federal inspectors to 

ensure compliance with USDA standards. There are additional plants considered federally 

inspected, called Talmedge-Aiken plants. Although USDA is responsible for inspection in these 

plants, actual Federal inspection is carried out by State employees, who ensure that Federal 

regulations are being followed. During 2010, 632 plants slaughtered cattle (table A1.14), and 14 

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

200,000

220,000

240,000

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2010

1,000 lb

Fig. A1.6: U.S. honey production, 1990–2010

2008
16 

of these plants slaughtered 55 percent of the total cattle slaughtered. Five of the 248 plants that 

slaughtered calves accounted for 56 percent of the total, and 4 of the 506 plants that slaughtered 

sheep or lambs in 2010 produced 64 percent of the total number of head slaughtered. In 2010, 

421 plants slaughtered goats. Hogs were slaughtered at 611 plants; 12 of the largest plants 

accounted for 57 percent of the total. 

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas accounted for 49.2 percent of U.S. commercial red-meat 

production in 2010. Monthly commercial red-meat production typically reaches a low point in 

February. Beef and pork dominated commercial red-meat production in 2010 (53.6 and 45.8 

percent, respectively). 

On January 1, 2011, there were 1,891 State-inspected or custom-exempt slaughter plants in the 

United States, compared with 1,940 such plants on January 1, 2010. State-inspected plants sell 

and transport exclusively intrastate. State inspectors ensure compliance with individual State 

standards as well as with Federal meat and poultry inspection statutes. Custom-exempt plants do 

not sell meat but operate on a custom slaughter basis only. The animals and meat are not 

federally inspected, but the facilities must meet local health requirements. 
17 

TABLE A1.1: Livestock, poultry, and aquaculture statistics for 2010 

Commodity 

Inventory

(1,000)

Number of 

operations1

Value of 

production 

($1,000) $ % of total

All cattle 92,582.4 935,000 36,976,336 30.7

Milk cows 9,149.62 62,500 3NA 

Milk from milk cows 31,526,417 26.2

Beef cows 30,864.62 742,000 NA 

Cattle on feed 14,022.9 NA 

Hogs and pigs 64,9254 69,100 16,073,284 13.3

Sheep and lambs (plus wool) 5,5302 81,000 442,899 0.4

Goats 3,0002 152,000 NA 

Poultry 6Detail NA 34,657,313 28.8

Equids 55,317 NA NA 

Catfish 6Detail 9097 402,584 0.3

Trout 6Detail 3208 78,409 0.1

Honey 6Detail NA 281,974 0.2

Total NA NA 120,439,216 100.0 1

Number of operations—any place having one or more head on hand on December 31 for cattle, beef cow, milk 

cow, hog and pig, sheep and lamb, and goat and kid operations. 

2

Inventory as of January 1, 2011. 

3

Not available. 

4

Inventory as of December 1, 2010. 

5

Inventory as of January 1, 1999. 

6

Detailed breakout of inventory is shown in respective tables. 7

Number of operations as of January 1, 2011. 

8

Number of operations selling trout. 
18 

 TABLE A1.2: Value of production for selected agricultural commodities for 2009 and 

2010 

Commodity 

2009 

($1,000)

Percentage of

 total value

2010 

($1,000) 

Percentage of 

total value

Cattle and calves 31,990,129 12.3 36,976,336 11.8

Milk from milk cows 24,473,409 9.4 31,526,417 10.0

Poultry 31,627,349 12.2 34,657,313 11.1

Hogs and pigs 12,590,109 4.8 16,073,284 5.1

Catfish and trout, including eggs 455,431 0.2 480,993 0.2

Sheep and lambs 365,030 442,899 

Wool 24,337 35,288 

Total sheep, lambs, and wool 389,367 0.1 478,187 0.2

Honey 215,671 0.1 281,974 0.1

Total of preceding livestock 

and products* 101,741,465 39.1 120,474,504 38.5

Field and miscellaneous crops 126,705,301 48.7 159,698,655 51.1

Fruits and nuts 18,696,605 7.2 20,160,736 6.4

Commercial vegetables 12,967,771 5.0 12,591,301 4.0

Total value of preceding crops 158,369,677 60.9 192,450,692 61.5

All commodities above 260,111,142 100.0 312,925,196 100.0

*Production data for equids were not available. 
19 

TABLE A1.3: Cattle and calves production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

January 1 following-year 

inventory (1,000 head)

All cattle and calves 93,881.2 92,582.4

All cows 40,456.4 40,014.2

Cattle on feed 13,642.2 14,022.9

Operations with cattle and calves 946,000 935,000

Size of operation 

Percentage operations

(percentage inventory)

1–49 head 67.8 (11.4) 67.9 (11.4)

50–99 head 13.8 (9.6) 13.8 (9.6)

100–499 head 15.3 (31.2) 15.2 (31.0)

500–999 head 2.0 (13.5) 2.0 (13.5)

1,000 or more head 1.1 (34.3) 1.1 (34.5)

Total 100.0 (100.0) 100.0 (100.0)

Calf crop 35,939.0 35,684.8

Deaths—cattle (1,000 head) 1,741.2 1,735.1

Death—calves (1,000 head) 2,322.7 2,260.1

Commercial calves slaughter (1,000 head)

Federally inspected 930.4 864.2

Other 13.8 14.4

Total commercial 944.2 878.6

Commercial cattle slaughter (1,000 head)

Federally inspected 

Steers 16,311.7 16,596.4

Heifers 9,743.0 10,046.8

All cows 6,140.3 6,437.1

Bulls 570.2 621.7

Other 573.0 547.0

Total commercial 33,338.31 34,249.0

Farm cattle and calves slaughter 

(1,000 head)* 185.4 203.2

Total cattle and calves slaughter (1,000 head) 34,467.9 35,330.8*

Value of production ($1,000) 31,990,129 36,976,336

Source: USDA–NASS.

*Farm slaughter includes animals slaughtered on farms primarily for home consumption. It excludes custom 

slaughter for farmers at commercial establishments but includes mobile slaughtering on farms. 1

Sum may not equal reported total. 
20 

TABLE A1.4: Milk cow production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

January 1 following-year 

inventory (1,000 head)

Milk cows 9,085.5 9,149.6

Milk replacement heifers 4,526.2 4,557.2

Operations with milk cows 65,000 62,500

Size of operation 

Percentage operations

(percentage inventory)

1–29 head 31.4 (1.8) 32.0 (1.7)

30–49 head 17.7 (4.9) 17.6 (4.7)

50–99 head 26.6 (13.0) 24.8 (11.8) 

100–199 head 13.2 (12.4) 13.8 (12.3)

200–499 head 5.9 (12.3) 6.4 (12.8)

500 or more head 5.2 (55.6) 5.4 (56.7)

Total 100.0 (100.0) 100.0 (100.0)

Cows slaughtered (1,000 head), 

federally inspected 

Dairy cows 2,815.3 2,807.2

Other cows 3,325.0 3,629.8

All cows 6,140.3 6,437.1

Milk production 

Average number of milk cows during year 

(1,000 head) 9,203 9,117

Milk production per milk cow (lb) 20,573 21,149

Milk fat per milk cow (lb) 755 774

Percentage of fat 3.67 3.65

Total milk production (million lb) 189,334 192,819

Value of milk production ($1,000) 24,473,409 31,526,417

Source: USDA–NASS. 
21 

TABLE A1.5: Beef cow production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

January 1 following-year 

inventory (1,000 head)

Beef cows 31,370.9 30,864.6

Beef replacement heifers 5,451.0 5,157.6

Operations with beef cows 751,000 742,000

Size of operation 

Percentage operations

(percentage inventory)

1–49 head 79.4 (28.3) 79.2 (28.0)

50–99 head 10.9 (17.1) 11.1 (17.4)

100–499 head 8.9 (38.0) 8.9 (38.0)

500 or more head 0.8 (16.6) 0.8 (16.6)

Total 100.0 (100.0) 100.0 (100.0)

Cows slaughtered (1,000 head), 

federally inspected 

Dairy cows 2,815.3 2,807.2

Other cows 3,325.0 3,629.8

All cows 6,140.3 6,437.1

Source: USDA–NASS. 
22 

TABLE A1.6: Cattle-on-feed production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

January 1 following-year 

inventory (1,000 head) for all lots 

January 1 following-year inventory 

(1,000 head) for lots 1,000+ capacity 

Steers and steer calves 6,877 7,180

Heifers and heifer calves 4,068 4,260

Cows and bulls 63 77

Total 11,008 11,517

Feedlot capacity 

(head)

Number 

of feedlots 

2010 Pct.

January 1, 

2011, 

inventory

(1,000 

head) Pct.

Marketed 

(1,000 head)

2009 Pct.

<1,000 75,000 97.2 2,508.9 17.9 4,032 15.4

1,000–1,999 790 1.0 454.0 3.2 778 3.0

2,000–3,999 560 0.7 800.0 5.7 1,400 5.4

4,000–7,999 335 0.5 1,030.0 7.3 1,760 6.7

8,000–15,999 180 0.2 1,250.0 8.9 2,470 9.5

16,000–31,999 140 0.2 2,180.0 15.6 4,090 15.7

≥32,000 135 0.2 5,800.0 41.4 11,580 44.3

All feedlots 77,140 100.0 14,022.9 100.0 26,110 100.0

Source: USDA–NASS. 
23 

TABLE A1.7: Hog and pig production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

December 1 inventory (1,000 head)

Breeding 5,850 5,778

Market 59,037 59,147

All hogs and pigs 64,887 64,925

Operations with hogs and pigs 71,450 69,100

Size of operation 

Percentage operations

(percentage inventory)

1–99 head 70.5 (0.9) 70.9 (0.8)

100–499 head 8.5 (2.3) 7.5 (2.1)

500–999 head 4.5 (3.3) 4.1 (3.1)

1,000–1,999 head 5.0 (7.5) 5.3 (8.0)

2,000–4,999 head 7.4 (24.0) 7.7 (25.0)

≥5,000 head 4.1 (62.0) 4.5 (61.0)

Total 100.0 (100.0) 100.0 (100.0)

Pig crop (1,000 head)

December–November* 114,542 113,686

Pigs per litter 

December–November* 9.62 9.78

Deaths (1,000 head) 8,899.5 8,627.2

Slaughter (1,000 head), federally inspected 

Barrows and gilts 108,950.8 105,982.8

Sows 3,243.0 2,965.9

Stags and boars 419.0 366.0

Other 1,005.8 945.1

Total commercial 113,618.6 110,259.8

Farm slaughter 113.7 107.2

Total slaughter 113,732.3 110,367.0

Value of production ($1,000) 12,590,109 16,073,284

Source: USDA–NASS. 

*December of the preceding year. 
24 

TABLE A1.8: Sheep and goat production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

January 1 following-year 

sheep inventory (1,000 head)

Ewes 1 year old and older 3,335.0 3,255.0

Rams 1 year old and older 195.0 190.0

All sheep and lambs 5,620.0 5,530.0

Operations with sheep 82,000 81,000

Size of operation 

Percentage operations*

(percentage inventory)*

1–99 head 93.7 (36.2) 93.8 (35.8)

100–499 head 5.2 (20.8) 5.1 (20.1)

500–4,999 head 1.0 (31.3) 1.0 (30.6)

≥5,000 head 0.1 (11.7) 0.1 (13.5)

Total 100.0 (100.0) 100.0 (100.0)

Lamb crop (1,000 head) 3,690.0 3,600.0

Deaths—sheep (1,000 head) 235.0 230.0

Deaths—lambs (1,000 head) 400.0 378.0

Slaughter (1,000 head), federally inspected 

Mature sheep 157.7 156.4

Lambs 2,165.3 2,104.7

Other 192.8 196.4

Total commercial 2,515.91 2,457.5

Farm slaughter 95.2 96.9

Total slaughter 2,611.1 2,554.4

Wool production 

Sheep shorn (1,000 head) 4,195 4,215

Shorn wool production (1,000 lb) 30,860 30,600

Value of wool production ($1,000) 24,337 35,288

Value of production ($1,000)

Sheep 365,030 442,899

Wool 24,337 35,288

Total 389,367 478,187 1

Sum may not equal reported total. 
25 

January 1 following-year goat 

inventory (1,000 head)

Does, 1 year old and older 

Angora 112 118

Milk 229 232

Meat and other 1,526 1,492

All 1,867 1,842

Bucks 

Angora 8 9

Milk 23 23

Meat and other 154 153

All 185 185

All 

Angora 161 172

Milk 356 360

Meat and other 2,521 2,468

All goats 3,038 3,000

Operations with goats 

Angora 5,500 6,000

Milk 30,000 31,000

Meat and other 130,000 128,000

All 152,000 152,000

Kid crop 

Angora 83 80

Milk 252 265

Meat and other 1,612 1,566

All 1,947 1,911

Source: USDA–NASS. 

*End-of-year survey for breeding sheep (inventory). 
26 

TABLE A1.9: Poultry production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

December 1 total layers (1,000 head) 341,005 342,451

Annual average number of layers (1,000 head) 337,848 339,961

Eggs per layer 268 269

Total egg production (million eggs) 90,484 91,398

Number of broilers produced (1,000 head) 8,550,200 8,625,200

Number of chickens lost (1,000 head) 99,088 106,997

Number of turkeys raised (1,000 head) 247,359 244,188

Number slaughtered (1,000 head)

Chickens—young 8,519,970 8,649,536

Chickens—mature 138,633 140,943

Chickens—total 8,658,603 8,790,479

Turkeys—young 243,993 241,183

Turkeys—old 1,819 1,436

Turkeys—total 245,812 242,619

Ducks 22,767 23,627

Value of production ($1,000)

Broilers 21,822,804 23,696,132

Eggs 6,166,038 6,517,823

Turkeys 3,573,392 4,371,400

Chickens (value of sales) 65,115 71,958

Total 31,627,349 34,657,313

Source: USDA–NASS. 
27 

TABLE A1.10: Equine production, 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2007 

19971 19981 20022 2007

January 1 following-year 

inventory (1,000 head)

All equids 5,250 5,317

On farms 23,200 NA 33,750 44,313

On nonfarms 2,050 NA

Number sold 540 558

Value of sales ($1,000) 1,641,196 1,753,996 1

USDA–NASS (March 2, 1999). 

2

The 2002 Census of Agriculture revised the 1997 number of all equids to 3,143,328 head. 

3

The 2002 Census of Agriculture reported 3,644,278 head of horses and ponies located on 542,223 farms. In 

addition, there were 105,358 mules, burros, and donkeys reported. The combination rounds to 3,750,000. 

4

The 2007 Census of Agriculture reported 4,028,827 head of horses and ponies located on 575,942 farms. In 

addition, there were 283,806 mules, burros, and donkeys reported. The combination rounds to 4,313,000. 
28 

TABLE A1.11: Catfish and trout production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 2010

Catfish 

Number of fish on January 1, 

following year (1,000) 

Foodsize 269,390 176,502

Stockers 366,090 381,360

Fingerlings 429,590 568,990

Broodfish 536 497

Number of operations on January 1, 

following year 994 909

Sales ($1,000)

Foodsize 352,013 375,078

Stockers 7,485 13,848

Fingerlings 12,895 13,325

Broodfish 174 333

Total sales 372,567 402,584

Trout 

Number of fish sold (1,000) 

≥12 inches 40,822 38,675

6–12 inches 5,553 5,265

1–6 inches 6,995 8,780

Sales ($1,000)

≥12 inches 67,207 63,066

6–12 inches 6,580 6,339

1–6 inches 1,626 1,917

Total sales 75,413 71,322

Eggs sold 

Number of eggs (1,000) 358,750 383,695

Total value of sales ($1,000) 7,451 7,087

Total value of fish sold plus 

value of eggs sold ($1,000) 82,864 78,409

Number of operations selling trout 349 320

Number of operations selling or 

distributing trout, or both 855 814

Source: USDA–NASS. 
29 

TABLE A1.12: Honey* production, 2009 and 2010 

2009 20109

Honey-producing colonies (1,000) 2,498 2,684

Yield per colony (lb) 58.6 65.5

Production (1,000 lb) 146,416 175,904

Stocks on December 15 (1,000 lb) 37,516 45,307

Value of production ($1,000) 215,671 281,974

Source: USDA–NASS. 

*For producers with five or more colonies. 
30 

TABLE A1.13: Production data on miscellaneous livestock, 2007 

Commodity 

Number of 

farms Inventory Number sold

Milk goats 27,481 334,754 102,775

Angora goats 7,215 204,106 50,017

Meat and other goats 123,278 2,601,669 1,234,784

Mules, burros, donkeys 99,746 283,806 32,467

Mink 290 1,507,719 2,811,470

Rabbits 27,137 616,129 979,563

Ducks 31,391 3,984,982 27,321,288

Geese 18,869 177,812 161,133

Pigeons 5,369 531,489 1,294,163

Pheasants 5,313 3,773,593 10,876,586

Quail 3,983 10,611,067 39,968,045

Emus 3,621 28,443 6,540

Ostriches 714 11,188 5,697

Bison 4,499 198,234 62,890

Deer 5,654 269,537 44,210

Elk 1,917 68,251 13,049

Llamas 26,060 122,680 12,704

Source: USDA–NASS 2007 Census of Agriculture. 
31 

TABLE A1.14: Slaughter statistics, 2010 

Commodity 

Federally 

inspected 

plants (no.)

Slaughter in 

federally inspected 

plants (1,000 head)*

Slaughter in Stateinspected or 

custom-exempt 

plants (1,000 head)

Cattle 632 33,702.0 547.0

Calves 248 864.2 14.4

Hogs 611 109,314.7 945.1

Sheep and lambs 506 2,261.1 196.4

Goats 421 612.1 166.9

Bison 128 52.9 11.1

Source: USDA–NASS Livestock Slaughter 2010 Summary, April 2011. 

*Includes data for the calendar year.