OU 356

February 27, 2001

January 2001 Cattle Inventory: Continuing The Trend
P.J. Rathwell, Extension Ag Economist

The January 2001 cattle inventory report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA estimates total cattle in the U.S. at 97.3 million head (Table 1).  This is a one percent decline from the January 1, 2000 level and two percent from January 1, 1999.  Cattle numbers continued their decline in 2000. 

All calves and heifers that have calved are estimated at 42.6 million head slightly below the 42.8 million head on January 1, 2000.  Beef cows estimated to have calved were placed at 33.4 million head.  USDA estimates that of the 5.6 million heifers held for replacement 3.1 will calve in 2001.  Dairy heifer replacements expected to calve in 2001 were estimated at 2.5 of the 4 million retained.  Other heifers (heifers destined for feedlot placement) were estimated at 10 million head about equal to last year.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over were estimated at 16.4 million head down one percent from January 1, 2000.  Calves under 500 pounds were placed at 14.2, down 4 percent.  The 2000 calf crop was estimated to be 38.6 million head, down slightly from both the 1999 and 1998 estimates. 

SOUTHERN STATES

Southern states numbers suggest that this area has about one percent more beef cows on hand as of January 1, 2001 than last year (Table 2).  In comparison, the total U.S. beef cow herd is down about one-half of one percent over the same time period.  Significant decreases in cow numbers occurred in Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina.  Slight decreases occurred in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.  The survey indicated that Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas had the same or slightly larger cowherds in 2001 than in 2000.  Virginia indicated the largest increase in cowherd at 103.1 of it size in 2000.

And, the cowherd is now starting to show signs of growth.  The 2001 inventory report indicated that in the U.S. beef producers are going to keep 1.5 percent more heifers on farm to help rebuild the cowherd.  This trend is not seen throughout the southeast but, the states of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee indicate a significant increase in heifer retention for 2001. 

The 2000 calf crop is estimated to be slightly below the 1999 estimate.  U.S. estimates are placed at about one-half of one percent less calves in 2000 than in 1999.  This trend is also expressed in the southeast at 99.3 percent of the 1999 calf crop.  Mississippi and North Carolina were the only states expecting a larger calf crop, 101.9 and 102.2, respectively.

Beef cattle operations in the southeast continue to decline (Table 3).  The number of beef producers in 2000 declined by 11,000 units between 1999 and 2000.  Across the U.S. beef operations declined by nearly 14,000 farms.  The decline in the south appears to be fairly evenly distributed across the region.  The impact of drought is evident in the southeast’s continued decrease in number of cattle farms and ranches.

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