U.S. Cow Herd Continues to Grow

The USDA just released it’s update of the national beef cow herd. As of January 1, 2018, the number of all cows and calves in the U.S. totaled 94.4 million head, up 1 percent from 2017.

The total beef cow herd grew by 500,000 head in the last year to 31.7 million head, up 1.6{ff5548eb8b7551781742a29b9864cd1703b3791f37ac9790ae42b0c6a6bb7d63} from a year ago. Many analysts were projecting the cow herd to grow by 700,000 head, more than 2{ff5548eb8b7551781742a29b9864cd1703b3791f37ac9790ae42b0c6a6bb7d63}. Although the herd is still growing, the rate of that growth is slowing. CattleFax is projecting the national herd to level off between 32 & 32.5 million by 2020.

Replacement heifer numbers were down 4{ff5548eb8b7551781742a29b9864cd1703b3791f37ac9790ae42b0c6a6bb7d63} year over year, suggesting that producers are scaling back their intentions to continue growing their herds into 2018.

In our region, the Montana beef herd grew by only 11,000 head less than 1{ff5548eb8b7551781742a29b9864cd1703b3791f37ac9790ae42b0c6a6bb7d63}. Montana maintained it’s spot as the number 7 state for beef cows. Total cattle numbers declined by 100,000 head.

South Dakota saw one of the largest increases in their cow herd, growing 8{ff5548eb8b7551781742a29b9864cd1703b3791f37ac9790ae42b0c6a6bb7d63} to 1.8 million head, remaining the number 5 state in terms of total beef cows.

In North Dakota the beef cow herd grew 3{ff5548eb8b7551781742a29b9864cd1703b3791f37ac9790ae42b0c6a6bb7d63}, adding an additional 30,000 head. Wyoming cow numbers stayed constant at 714,000 head.

Report Highlights:

All cattle and calves in the United States, as of January 1, 2018, totaled 94.4 million head, 1 percent above the 93.7 million head on January 1, 2017.

All cows and heifers that have calved, at 41.1 million head, were 1 percent above the 40.6 million head on January 1, 2017. Beef cows, at 31.7 million head, were up 2 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.40 million head, were up 1 percent from the previous year.

All heifers 500 pounds and over, as of January 1, 2018, totaled 20.2 million head, 1 percent above the 20.1 million head on January 1, 2017. Beef replacement heifers, at 6.13 million head, were down 4 percent from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 4.78 million head, were up 1 percent from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.33 million head, were 4 percent above a year earlier.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over, as of January 1, 2018, totaled 16.4 million head, down slightly from January 1, 2017.

Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over, as of January 1, 2018, totaled 2.25 million head, up slightly from January 1, 2017.

Calves under 500 pounds, as of January 1, 2018, totaled 14.4 million head, up slightly from January 1, 2017.

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 14.0 million head on January 1, 2018. The inventory is up 7 percent from the January 1, 2017 total of 13.1 million head. Cattle on feed, in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head, accounted for 82.0 percent of the total cattle on feed on January 1, 2018, up 1 percent from the previous year. The combined total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds (outside of feedlots) is 26.1 million head, 2 percent below one year ago.

Calf Crop Up 2 Percent

The 2017 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 35.8 million head, up 2 percent from last year's calf crop. Calves born during the first half of 2017 were estimated at 26.0 million head, up 2 percent from the first half of 2016. Calves born during the second half of 2017 were estimated at 9.81 million head, 27 percent of the total 2017 calf crop.

See the full report by clicking here: 2018 Cattle Inventory Report

Source: USDA

Photo: NAN