CATTLE INVENTORY

Executive Briefing

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service
July Cattle Survey

Data Collection Period: June 30 - July 14

Sample Size 52,603

Collection Methods

Phone, mail, internet, personal interview

Main Data Items

Total inventory, beef cows, milk cows, heifers and 

steers over 500 pounds, calves under 500 pounds, 

calf crop 

July 22, 2011
U.S. Cattle Inventory July 1

2010 2011 % PY

1,000 Head

All Cattle & Calves 101,100 100,000 99%

Cows & Heifers that have Calved 40,900 40,600 99%

Beef Cows 31,750 31,400 99%

Milk Cows 9,150 9,200 101%

All Heifers 500 lbs & over 16,200 16,000 99%

For Beef Replacements 4,400 4,200 95%

For Milk Replacements 4,050 4,200 104%

Other Heifers 7,750 7,600 98%

Steers 500 lbs & over 14,400 14,200 99%

Bulls 500 lbs & over 2,100 2,000 95%

Calves under 500 lbs 27,500 27,200 99%

Cattle on Feed 11,900 12,200 103%

Calf Crop - Annual 35,685 35,500 99%

July 22, 2011
USDA - NASS

Estimate

Industry

Average

Industry

Range

Cattle Inventory

All Cattle & Calves 98.9% 98.6% 98.1 – 99.2%

Beef Cows & Heifers

that have Calved 98.9% 98.1% 97.5 – 99.0%

Calf Crop 99.5% 98.5% 97.5 – 99.3%

1000+ Cattle on Feed

Inventory 103.8% 102.7% 101.5 – 104.1%

Placements 104.1% 93.4% 88.1 – 101.4%

Marketings 105.3% 102.8% 101.5 – 104.6%

NASS Estimates and Industry Expectations

Percent of Previous Year

July 22, 2011
90

100

110

120

130

1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011

U.S. All Cattle & Calves

July 1, 1981 – 2011

113.0

104.6

100.0

102.9

Million Head

124.7

104.8

July 22, 2011
30

32

34

36

38

40

42

1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011

U.S. Beef Cows

July 1, 1981 - 2011

31.4

32.9

36.1

33.3

Million Head

40.1

34.1

July 22, 2011
U.S. Beef Cow Balance Sheet

January - June

2010 2011

1,000 Head

Begin Inventory Jan 1 31,371 30,865

Deaths 314 309

Commercial Slaughter 1,788 1,738

Beef Cow Supply 29,269 28,818

Ending Inventory 31,750 31,400

Indicated Replacements

Heifers 500+ Available

For Replacements

2,481

5,451

2,582

5,158

Replacement % 45.5% 50.1%

Totals may not add due to rounding

July 22, 2011
Federally Inspected Slaughter

January – June

2010 - 2011

All Cow Slaughter 3,128 3,168 +40

8,206

4,936

Total Cattle Slaughter 16,572 16,694 +122

Steer Slaughter 8,248 +42

Heifer Slaughter 4,991 +55

1,000 Head

2010 2011 Change

Dairy Cow Slaughter

Beef Cow Slaughter

1,370 1,458 +88

1,758 1,710 -48

July 22, 2011
14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

1996 2001 2006 2011

Heifer % of Total All Cows % of Total

All Cow & Heifer Slaughter

as a Percent of Total Slaughter,

January 1 – June 30

Percent

July 22, 2011
32

34

36

38

40

42

2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011

Heifers as a Percent of 1000+ COF Inventory

U.S. January-July Average

Percent

July 22, 2011
U.S. Cattle on Feed

July 1

2010 2011 % PY

1,000 Head

All Cattle on Feed 11,900 12,200 103%

1,000+ Cattle on Feed 10,071 10,451 104%

< 1,000 Cattle on Feed 1,829 1,749 96%

Totals may not add due to rounding

July 22, 2011
U.S. Feeder Cattle Supply Outside Feedlots

July 1

36,800

12,200

49,000

7,600

14,200

27,200

Steers > 500 lbs

Calves < 500 lbs 27,500

Totals may not add due to rounding

Feeder Cattle Supply 37,750

Outside Feedlots

Cattle on Feed 11,900

Total Supply 49,650

Other Heifers > 500 lbs 7,750

1,000 Head

2010 2011 % PY

99%

99%

98%

99%

103%

97%

14,400

July 22, 2011
Upcoming Reports

July 29 Agricultural Prices

August 11 Crop Production

August 18 Milk Production

August 19 Cattle on Feed

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service