CATTLE INVENTORY

Executive Briefing

July 1, 2012

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service
July Cattle Survey

Data Collection Period: June 29 - July 13

Sample Size:

9,971

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 20, 2012
U.S. Cattle Inventory July 1

2011 2012 % PY

1,000 Head

All Cattle & Calves 100,000 97,800 98%

Cows & Heifers that have Calved 40,600 39,700 98%

Beef Cows 31,400 30,500 97%

Milk Cows 9,200 9,200 100%

All Heifers 500 lbs & over 16,000 15,700 98%

For Beef Replacements 4,200 4,200 100%

For Milk Replacements 4,200 4,100 98%

Other Heifers 7,600 7,400 97%

Steers 500 lbs & over 14,200 14,000 99%

Bulls 500 lbs & over 2,000 1,900 95%

Calves under 500 lbs 27,200 26,500 97%

Cattle on Feed 12,200 12,300 101%

Calf Crop - Annual 35,313.2 34,500 98%

July 20, 2012
USDA - NASS

Estimate

Industry

Average

Industry

Range

Cattle Inventory

All Cattle & Calves 97.8% 98.6% 97.9 – 99.5%

Beef Cows & Heifers

that have Calved 97.1% 97.9% 97.1 – 99.0%

Calf Crop 97.7% 98.4% 98.0 – 99.2%

1000+ Cattle on Feed

Inventory 102.7% 102.5% 100.0 – 103.8%

Placements 98.2% 98.7% 92.6 – 104.1%

Marketings 93.9% 94.0% 92.0 – 101.0%

NASS Estimates Compared to Trade Expectations

Percent of Previous Year

July 20, 2012
90

100

110

120

130

1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012

U.S. All Cattle & Calves

July 1, 1982 – 2012

113.0

104.6

97.8

102.9

Million Head

124.1

104.8

July 20, 2012
30

32

34

36

38

40

42

1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012

U.S. Beef Cows

July 1, 1982 - 2012

30.5

32.9

36.1

33.3

Million Head

38.99

34.1

July 20, 2012
U.S. Beef Cow Balance Sheet

January - June

2011 2012

1,000 Head

Begin Inventory Jan 1 30,850 29,883

Deaths 308 299

Commercial Slaughter 1,738 1,588

Beef Cow Supply 28,803 27,996

Ending Inventory 31,400 30,500

Indicated Replacements 2,597 2,504

Heifers 500+ Available

For Replacements

5,139 5,212

Replacement % 50.5% 48.0%

Totals may not add due to rounding

July 20, 2012
Federally Inspected Slaughter

January – June

2011 - 2012

July 20, 2012

2011 2012 Change

1,000 Head

Total Cattle Slaughter 16,694 16,083 -611

Heifer Slaughter 4,991 4,713 -278

All Cow Slaughter 3,168 3,087 -81

Dairy Cow Slaughter 1,458 1,523 +65

Beef Cow Slaughter 1,710 1,563 -147

Steer Slaughter 8,248 8,018 -230
14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

1997 2002 2007 2012

Heifer % of Total All Cows % of Total

All Cow & Heifer Slaughter

as a Percent of Total Slaughter,

January 1 – June 30

Percent

July 20, 2012
32

34

36

38

40

2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Heifers as a Percent of 1000+ COF Inventory

U.S. January-July Average

Percent

July 20, 2012
U.S. Cattle on Feed

July 1

2011 2012 % PY

1,000 Head

All Cattle on Feed 12,200 12,300 101%

1,000+ 10,433 10,710 103%

< 1,000 1,767 1,590 90%

Totals may not add due to rounding

July 20, 2012
U.S. Feeder Cattle Supply Outside Feedlots

July 1

July 20, 2012

2011 2012 % PY

1,000 Head

Calves < 500 lbs 27,200 26,500 97%

Steers > 500 lbs 14,200 14,000 99%

Other Heifers > 500 lbs 7,600 7,400 97%

Total Supply 49,000 47,900 98%

Cattle on Feed 12,200 12,300 101%

Feeder Cattle Supply 

Outside Feedlots

36,800 35,600 97%

Totals may not add due to rounding
Upcoming Reports

July 31 Agricultural Prices

August 10 Crop Production

August 17 Milk Production

Cattle on Feed

August 24 Livestock Slaughter

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

July 20, 2012
All Reports Available At

www.nass.usda.gov

For Questions Call or Email

202-720-3570

800-727-9540

nass@nass.usda.gov

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

July 20, 2012