USDA semi-annual herd inventory report: U.S. cattle herd at record low levels

The U.S. cattle herd keeps shrinking, according to USDA’s semi-annual herd inventory report, released Friday, Jan. 28.

All cattle and calves in the U.S. as of Jan. 1 totaled 92.6 million head, one percent below the 93.9 million head a year ago. This is the lowest Jan. 1 cattle and calf total since the 91.2 million head on hand in 1958.

The 2010 calf crop was estimated at 35.7 million head, down one percent from 2009. This would be the smallest calf crop since the 34.9 born during 1950. Calves born during the first half of 2010 are estimated at 25.9 million head, down one percent from 2009.

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The U.S. cattle herd keeps shrinking, according to USDA’s semi-annual herd inventory report, released Friday, Jan. 28.

All cattle and calves in the U.S. as of Jan. 1 totaled 92.6 million head, one percent below the 93.9 million head a year ago. This is the lowest Jan. 1 cattle and calf total since the 91.2 million head on hand in 1958.

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The 2010 calf crop was estimated at 35.7 million head, down one percent from 2009. This would be the smallest calf crop since the 34.9 born during 1950. Calves born during the first half of 2010 are estimated at 25.9 million head, down one percent from 2009.