Two big reports were released this past Friday afternoon by USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System. One was the bi-annual Cattle Inventory Report, where USDA says all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 38.8 million head. That is down 3 percent compared to July 1, 2022.
The other was the monthly Cattle on Feed Report which shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on July 1, 2023. The inventory was 2 percent below July 1, 2022.
According to a story from Gary Crawford, it looks like the contraction in the beef cattle herd may continue for a while.
The inventory report notes all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 38.8 million head, 2 percent below the 39.6 million head on July 1, 2022. Beef cows, at 29.4 million head, down 3 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.40 million head, unchanged from previous year.
All heifers 500 pounds and over on July 1, 2023 totaled 15.0 million head, 4 percent below the 15.6 million head on July 1, 2022. Beef replacement heifers, at 4.05 million head, down 2 percent from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 3.65 million head, down 3 percent from previous year. Other heifers, at 7.30 million head, 5 percent below a year earlier.
Steers 500 pounds and over on July 1, 2023 totaled 13.9 million head, down 3 percent from July 1, 2022.
Bulls 500 pounds and over on July 1, 2023 totaled 1.90 million head, down 5 percent from previous year.
Calves under 500 pounds on July 1, 2023 totaled 26.3 million head, down 3 percent from a year earlier.
The 2023 calf crop in the United States is expected to be 33.8 million head, down 2 percent from last year. Calves born during the first half of 2023 are estimated at 24.8 million head, down 2 percent from the first half of 2022. An additional 9.00 million calves are expected to be born during the second half of 2023.
The monthly Cattle on Feed Report shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on July 1, 2023. USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagam has a quick look at that report.
Placements in feedlots during June totaled 1.68 million head, 3 percent above 2022. Net placements were 1.61 million head. During June, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 275,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 380,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 368,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 185,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 80,000 head.
Marketing’s of fed cattle during June totaled 1.96 million head, 5 percent below 2022.