Cattle

Cattle
ISSN: 1948-9099

Released February 1, 2013, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA).

January 1 Cattle Inventory Down 2 Percent
All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2013 totaled 89.3 million head, 2 percent below the 90.8
million on January 1, 2012. This is the lowest January 1 inventory of all cattle and calves since the 88.1 million on hand in
1952.
All cows and heifers that have calved, at 38.5 million, were down 2 percent from the 39.4 million on January 1, 2012.
This is the lowest January 1 inventory of all cows and heifers that have calved since the 36.8 million head in 1941.
• Beef cows, at 29.3 million, were down 3 percent from January 1, 2012.
• Milk cows, at 9.2 million, unchanged from January 1, 2012.
Other class estimates on January 1, 2013 and the change from January 1, 2012, are as follows:
• All heifers 500 pounds and over, 19.1 million, down 1 percent.
• Beef replacement heifers, 5.4 million, up 2 percent.
• Milk replacement heifers, 4.6 million, down 2 percent.
• Other heifers, 9.2 million, down 3 percent.
• Steers weighing 500 pounds and over, 15.8 million, unchanged.
• Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over, 2.1 million, down 2 percent.
• Calves under 500 pounds, 13.8 million, down 2 percent.
• Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in all feedlots, 13.4 million, down 5 percent.
• The combined total of calves under 500 pounds, and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds outside of feedlots was
25.5 million, up 1 percent.

Calf Crop Down 3 Percent
The 2012 calf crop was estimated at 34.3 million head, down 3 percent from 2011. This is the smallest calf crop since the
33.7 million born during 1949. Calves born during the first half of 2012 are estimated at 25.0 million, down 3 percent
from 2011.

Revisions
All inventory and calf crop estimates for July 1, 2011, January 1, 2012, and July 1, 2012 were reviewed using calf crop,
official slaughter, import and export data, and the relationship of new survey information to the prior surveys. Based on
the findings of this review, small adjustments of less than one-half percent were made to previously released inventory
estimates by class.
State level estimates were reviewed and changes were made to reallocate inventory estimates to the United States total.

This report was approved on February 1, 2013.

Acting Secretary of
Agriculture
Kathleen A. Merrigan

2

Agricultural Statistics Board
Chairperson
Hubert Hamer

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents
Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013 ............................................................ 4
Cattle Inventory – United States: January 1............................................................................................................................ 4
Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013 .................................................................. 5
Calf Crop – States and United States: 2011 and 2012 ............................................................................................................ 9
Total Number of Cattle on Feed – States and United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013 ...................................................... 10
Number of Cattle Grazing on Small Grain Pasture – 3-State Total: January 1, 2012 and 2013 ........................................... 11
Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: July 1, 2011 and 2012................................................................ 11
Calf Crop and Percent of Total by Six Month Period – United States: 2011 and 2012 ........................................................ 11
Statistical Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
Reliability of January 1 Cattle Estimates .............................................................................................................................. 13
Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013
Class

2012

Percent of
previous year

2013

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Cattle and calves ............................................................................

90,768.5

89,299.6

98

Cows and heifers that have calved ..................................................
Beef cows ...................................................................................
Milk cows ....................................................................................

39,387.4
30,157.9
9,229.5

38,515.2
29,295.3
9,219.9

98
97
100

Heifers 500 pounds and over ..........................................................
For beef cow replacement ...........................................................
Expected to calve 1 ..................................................................
For milk cow replacement ...........................................................
Expected to calve 1 ..................................................................
Other heifers ...............................................................................

19,337.8
5,261.6
3,221.3
4,622.0
3,064.9
9,454.2

19,128.9
5,360.6
3,280.3
4,550.7
2,928.4
9,217.6

99
102
102
98
96
97

Steers 500 pounds and over ...........................................................
Bulls 500 pounds and over ..............................................................
Calves under 500 pounds ...............................................................

15,832.5
2,096.0
14,114.8

15,812.7
2,055.8
13,787.0

100
98
98

Cattle on feed .................................................................................

14,121.4

13,351.7

95

2011
Calf crop .........................................................................................
1

Percent of
previous year

2012
35,313.2

34,279.0

97

Replacement heifers expected to calve during the year.

Cattle Inventory – United States: January 1
Million head

105

100

95

90

85
1988

4

1993

1998

2003

2008

2013

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013
All cattle and calves
State

All cows that have calved

2012

2013

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

2012

2013

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Alabama ................
Alaska ...................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ...............
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ...........
Delaware ...............
Florida ...................
Georgia .................

1,210.0
13.0
920.0
1,670.0
5,350.0
2,750.0
49.0
19.0
1,710.0
1,020.0

1,220.0
12.0
900.0
1,600.0
5,300.0
2,600.0
48.0
18.0
1,660.0
1,020.0

101
92
98
96
99
95
98
95
97
100

660.0
6.0
370.0
920.0
2,400.0
890.0
23.0
8.5
1,060.0
590.0

660.0
5.3
365.0
860.0
2,390.0
850.0
24.0
8.5
1,030.0
570.0

100
88
99
93
100
96
104
100
97
97

Hawaii ...................
Idaho .....................
Illinois ....................
Indiana ..................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ..................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine ....................
Maryland ................

140.0
2,220.0
1,070.0
860.0
3,900.0
6,100.0
2,150.0
790.0
86.0
200.0

132.0
2,370.0
1,120.0
810.0
3,850.0
5,850.0
2,240.0
780.0
85.0
192.0

94
107
105
94
99
96
104
99
99
96

80.0
1,050.0
430.0
370.0
1,100.0
1,570.0
1,070.0
470.0
42.0
95.0

72.0
1,090.0
460.0
365.0
1,130.0
1,460.0
1,100.0
470.0
43.0
92.0

90
104
107
99
103
93
103
100
102
97

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana ................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

41.0
1,110.0
2,360.0
950.0
3,900.0
2,500.0
6,450.0
470.0
35.0
31.0

39.0
1,120.0
2,390.0
910.0
3,650.0
2,600.0
6,300.0
460.0
33.0
31.0

95
101
101
96
94
104
98
98
94
100

19.0
480.0
830.0
500.0
1,950.0
1,470.0
1,940.0
265.0
18.0
15.5

19.0
490.0
840.0
500.0
1,850.0
1,520.0
1,860.0
260.0
17.0
16.0

100
102
101
100
95
103
96
98
94
103

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina .......
North Dakota .........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ..................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island .........
South Carolina .......

1,390.0
1,410.0
810.0
1,690.0
1,280.0
4,500.0
1,300.0
1,610.0
4.5
370.0

1,340.0
1,400.0
820.0
1,790.0
1,230.0
4,200.0
1,280.0
1,610.0
4.6
355.0

96
99
101
106
96
93
98
100
102
96

770.0
710.0
405.0
880.0
570.0
1,830.0
670.0
700.0
2.4
200.0

710.0
700.0
410.0
940.0
560.0
1,800.0
650.0
690.0
2.4
190.0

92
99
101
107
98
98
97
99
100
95

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas ....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ..................
Washington ...........
West Virginia .........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ...............

3,650.0
1,970.0
11,900.0
800.0
260.0
1,490.0
1,110.0
390.0
3,400.0
1,360.0

3,850.0
1,830.0
11,300.0
770.0
270.0
1,610.0
1,150.0
410.0
3,450.0
1,290.0

105
93
95
96
104
108
104
105
101
95

1,700.0
1,000.0
5,000.0
420.0
143.0
760.0
480.0
205.0
1,530.0
720.0

1,780.0
960.0
4,450.0
405.0
146.0
780.0
485.0
210.0
1,530.0
700.0

105
96
89
96
102
103
101
102
100
97

United States .........

90,768.5

89,299.6

98

39,387.4

38,515.2

98
--continued

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

5

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013 (continued)
Beef cows that have calved
State

2012

2013

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Milk cows that have calved
Percent of
previous year

2012

2013

Percent of
previous year

(percent)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Alabama ................
Alaska ....................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ................
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ............
Delaware ...............
Florida ....................
Georgia ..................

650.0
5.5
180.0
909.0
620.0
759.0
4.5
3.5
940.0
512.0

651.0
4.9
175.0
851.0
610.0
715.0
6.0
4.0
908.0
490.0

100
89
97
94
98
94
133
114
97
96

10.0
0.5
190.0
11.0
1,780.0
131.0
18.5
5.0
120.0
78.0

9.0
0.4
190.0
9.0
1,780.0
135.0
18.0
4.5
122.0
80.0

90
80
100
82
100
103
97
90
102
103

Hawaii ....................
Idaho ......................
Illinois .....................
Indiana ...................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ...................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine .....................
Maryland ................

78.1
469.0
331.0
195.0
895.0
1,447.0
995.0
452.0
10.0
43.0

69.9
510.0
360.0
191.0
925.0
1,328.0
1,028.0
454.0
11.0
41.0

90
109
109
98
103
92
103
100
110
95

1.9
581.0
99.0
175.0
205.0
123.0
75.0
18.0
32.0
52.0

2.1
580.0
100.0
174.0
205.0
132.0
72.0
16.0
32.0
51.0

111
100
101
99
100
107
96
89
100
98

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana .................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

7.0
109.0
365.0
486.0
1,857.0
1,456.0
1,884.0
236.0
4.0
8.0

6.5
113.0
375.0
486.0
1,757.0
1,506.0
1,805.0
231.0
3.5
9.0

93
104
103
100
95
103
96
98
88
113

12.0
371.0
465.0
14.0
93.0
14.0
56.0
29.0
14.0
7.5

12.5
377.0
465.0
14.0
93.0
14.0
55.0
29.0
13.5
7.0

104
102
100
100
100
100
98
100
96
93

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina ........
North Dakota ..........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ...................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island ..........
South Carolina .......

435.0
100.0
360.0
862.0
300.0
1,778.0
547.0
160.0
1.3
184.0

390.0
90.0
364.0
922.0
290.0
1,754.0
527.0
155.0
1.5
174.0

90
90
101
107
97
99
96
97
115
95

335.0
610.0
45.0
18.0
270.0
52.0
123.0
540.0
1.1
16.0

320.0
610.0
46.0
18.0
270.0
46.0
123.0
535.0
0.9
16.0

96
100
102
100
100
88
100
99
82
100

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas .....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ...................
Washington ............
West Virginia ..........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ................

1,610.0
950.0
4,565.0
330.0
10.0
664.0
217.0
195.0
265.0
714.0

1,688.0
912.0
4,015.0
315.0
12.0
686.0
221.0
200.0
260.0
694.0

105
96
88
95
120
103
102
103
98
97

90.0
50.0
435.0
90.0
133.0
96.0
263.0
10.0
1,265.0
6.0

92.0
48.0
435.0
90.0
134.0
94.0
264.0
10.0
1,270.0
6.0

102
96
100
100
101
98
100
100
100
100

United States .........

30,157.9

29,295.3

97

9,229.5

9,219.9

100
--continued

6

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013 (continued)
Heifers 500 pounds and over
State

Beef cow replacement

Milk cow replacement

Other

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Alabama ................
Alaska ...................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ...............
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ...........
Delaware ...............
Florida ...................
Georgia .................

95.0
1.6
35.0
115.0
110.0
155.0
2.5
0.7
115.0
71.0

105.0
1.3
22.0
129.0
110.0
130.0
2.0
0.7
115.0
74.0

6.0
0.2
70.0
5.0
840.0
75.0
9.5
3.3
35.0
31.0

4.0
0.2
73.0
7.0
780.0
85.0
9.0
3.0
35.0
28.0

39.0
0.1
15.0
60.0
220.0
510.0
0.5
0.5
30.0
32.0

31.0
0.1
25.0
54.0
220.0
520.0
0.5
0.6
25.0
28.0

Hawaii ...................
Idaho .....................
Illinois ....................
Indiana ..................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ..................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine ....................
Maryland ................

10.0
90.0
56.0
31.0
140.0
250.0
135.0
81.0
3.0
12.0

10.0
120.0
60.0
41.0
150.0
230.0
150.0
77.0
2.5
9.0

1.0
300.0
47.0
70.0
160.0
85.0
45.0
6.0
16.0
28.0

2.0
310.0
48.0
56.0
120.0
100.0
50.0
5.0
15.5
29.0

6.0
190.0
117.0
59.0
620.0
1,550.0
145.0
24.0
3.0
8.0

4.0
210.0
82.0
48.0
680.0
1,370.0
160.0
21.0
2.0
9.0

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana ................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

3.0
27.0
90.0
82.0
270.0
415.0
385.0
41.0
1.5
2.0

2.0
28.0
100.0
78.0
270.0
435.0
350.0
36.0
1.2
2.0

6.0
158.0
285.0
7.0
40.0
8.0
15.0
10.0
6.5
4.0

6.0
157.0
280.0
7.0
40.0
8.0
20.0
9.0
6.5
4.0

1.0
45.0
185.0
36.0
240.0
212.0
1,420.0
37.0
0.5
1.5

1.0
47.0
180.0
35.0
220.0
187.0
1,380.0
30.0
0.8
1.0

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina .......
North Dakota .........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ..................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island .........
South Carolina .......

75.0
38.0
65.0
183.0
55.0
320.0
110.0
45.0
0.3
36.0

75.0
41.0
72.0
207.0
55.0
280.0
122.0
55.0
0.4
35.0

120.0
320.0
21.0
10.0
120.0
20.0
75.0
315.0
0.5
6.0

125.0
320.0
23.0
13.0
125.0
20.0
68.0
310.0
0.5
7.0

90.0
42.0
26.0
200.0
70.0
470.0
95.0
55.0
0.1
15.0

100.0
44.0
25.0
205.0
65.0
400.0
85.0
65.0
0.1
12.0

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas ....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ..................
Washington ...........
West Virginia .........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ...............

320.0
150.0
550.0
65.0
4.0
95.0
54.0
36.0
70.0
165.0

315.0
145.0
600.0
61.0
4.5
124.0
46.0
36.0
75.0
171.0

35.0
30.0
210.0
53.0
54.0
40.0
120.0
5.0
690.0
5.0

55.0
25.0
200.0
50.0
59.0
35.0
109.0
5.0
700.0
4.0

540.0
100.0
1,520.0
47.0
5.0
55.0
111.0
26.0
40.0
140.0

545.0
70.0
1,550.0
62.0
6.5
76.0
135.0
25.0
55.0
120.0

United States .........

5,261.6

5,360.6

4,622.0

4,550.7

9,454.2

9,217.6
--continued

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

7

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013 (continued)
State

Steers
500 pounds and over
2012

Bulls
500 pounds and over

2013

(1,000 head)

2012

(1,000 head)

Calves
under 500 pounds

2013

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

2012

2013

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Alabama ................
Alaska ....................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ................
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ............
Delaware ...............
Florida ....................
Georgia ..................

55.0
0.4
300.0
110.0
610.0
930.0
2.4
2.4
20.0
34.0

50.0
0.5
290.0
125.0
620.0
840.0
2.0
1.9
20.0
39.0

45.0
2.9
20.0
60.0
70.0
50.0
0.6
0.4
60.0
27.0

50.0
2.9
20.0
55.0
70.0
45.0
0.5
0.3
55.0
26.0

310.0
1.8
110.0
400.0
1,100.0
140.0
10.5
3.2
390.0
235.0

320.0
1.7
105.0
370.0
1,110.0
130.0
10.0
3.0
380.0
255.0

Hawaii ....................
Idaho ......................
Illinois .....................
Indiana ...................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ...................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine .....................
Maryland ................

6.0
300.0
210.0
99.0
1,300.0
1,910.0
200.0
23.0
5.5
16.0

7.0
275.0
240.0
91.0
1,250.0
1,970.0
225.0
18.0
5.0
15.0

5.0
35.0
25.0
21.0
60.0
90.0
70.0
28.0
1.5
4.0

4.0
40.0
25.0
19.0
60.0
85.0
75.0
30.0
1.5
4.0

32.0
255.0
185.0
210.0
520.0
645.0
485.0
158.0
15.0
37.0

33.0
325.0
205.0
190.0
460.0
635.0
480.0
159.0
15.5
34.0

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana .................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

2.0
173.0
465.0
61.0
360.0
210.0
2,280.0
42.0
1.5
2.0

2.0
174.0
470.0
41.0
350.0
230.0
2,250.0
46.0
1.0
2.0

1.0
17.0
35.0
39.0
100.0
90.0
100.0
14.0
0.5
1.0

1.0
14.0
35.0
39.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
13.0
0.5
1.0

9.0
210.0
470.0
225.0
940.0
95.0
310.0
61.0
6.5
5.0

8.0
210.0
485.0
210.0
820.0
120.0
340.0
66.0
6.0
5.0

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina ........
North Dakota ..........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ...................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island ..........
South Carolina .......

110.0
40.0
39.0
255.0
190.0
920.0
155.0
145.0
0.3
11.0

80.0
36.0
32.0
255.0
185.0
870.0
157.0
170.0
0.3
10.0

35.0
15.0
34.0
57.0
25.0
120.0
40.0
25.0
0.1
16.0

35.0
19.0
33.0
60.0
20.0
120.0
36.0
25.0
0.1
15.0

190.0
245.0
220.0
105.0
250.0
820.0
155.0
325.0
0.8
86.0

215.0
240.0
225.0
110.0
220.0
710.0
162.0
295.0
0.8
86.0

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas .....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ...................
Washington ............
West Virginia ..........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ................

690.0
160.0
2,370.0
90.0
4.0
160.0
180.0
43.0
360.0
180.0

720.0
125.0
2,500.0
75.0
4.0
195.0
190.0
48.0
350.0
160.0

90.0
70.0
330.0
20.0
3.0
40.0
19.0
14.0
30.0
40.0

90.0
65.0
300.0
22.0
3.0
40.0
17.0
14.0
30.0
40.0

275.0
460.0
1,920.0
105.0
47.0
340.0
146.0
61.0
680.0
110.0

345.0
440.0
1,700.0
95.0
47.0
360.0
168.0
72.0
710.0
95.0

United States .........

15,832.5

15,812.7

2,096.0

2,055.8

14,114.8

13,787.0

8

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Calf Crop – States and United States: 2011 and 2012
State

2011

Percent of
previous year

2012

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Alabama .............................................................................
Alaska ................................................................................
Arizona ...............................................................................
Arkansas ............................................................................
California ............................................................................
Colorado .............................................................................
Connecticut ........................................................................
Delaware ............................................................................
Florida ................................................................................
Georgia ..............................................................................

560.0
4.0
290.0
800.0
2,030.0
800.0
20.0
7.0
890.0
470.0

610.0
3.8
260.0
760.0
2,100.0
760.0
18.0
6.0
860.0
480.0

109
95
90
95
103
95
90
86
97
102

Hawaii ................................................................................
Idaho ..................................................................................
Illinois .................................................................................
Indiana ...............................................................................
Iowa ....................................................................................
Kansas ...............................................................................
Kentucky .............................................................................
Louisiana ............................................................................
Maine .................................................................................
Maryland .............................................................................

65.0
910.0
380.0
310.0
1,050.0
1,420.0
960.0
375.0
31.0
80.0

61.0
960.0
390.0
330.0
1,050.0
1,250.0
980.0
370.0
32.0
76.0

94
105
103
106
100
88
102
99
103
95

Massachusetts ....................................................................
Michigan .............................................................................
Minnesota ...........................................................................
Mississippi ..........................................................................
Missouri ..............................................................................
Montana .............................................................................
Nebraska ............................................................................
Nevada ...............................................................................
New Hampshire ..................................................................
New Jersey .........................................................................

18.0
390.0
780.0
385.0
1,820.0
1,470.0
1,690.0
215.0
15.0
11.0

18.0
385.0
790.0
400.0
1,740.0
1,500.0
1,720.0
205.0
15.0
10.0

100
99
101
104
96
102
102
95
100
91

New Mexico ........................................................................
New York ............................................................................
North Carolina ....................................................................
North Dakota ......................................................................
Ohio ....................................................................................
Oklahoma ...........................................................................
Oregon ...............................................................................
Pennsylvania ......................................................................
Rhode Island ......................................................................
South Carolina ....................................................................

620.0
530.0
350.0
860.0
490.0
1,850.0
630.0
590.0
2.2
160.0

580.0
530.0
370.0
870.0
480.0
1,670.0
610.0
590.0
2.2
150.0

94
100
106
101
98
90
97
100
100
94

South Dakota ......................................................................
Tennessee ..........................................................................
Texas .................................................................................
Utah ....................................................................................
Vermont ..............................................................................
Virginia ...............................................................................
Washington ........................................................................
West Virginia ......................................................................
Wisconsin ...........................................................................
Wyoming ............................................................................

1,620.0
920.0
4,650.0
365.0
115.0
640.0
430.0
185.0
1,380.0
680.0

1,710.0
880.0
3,900.0
365.0
117.0
670.0
420.0
195.0
1,370.0
660.0

106
96
84
100
102
105
98
105
99
97

United States ......................................................................

35,313.2

34,279.0

97

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

9

Total Number of Cattle on Feed – States and United States: January 1, 2012 and 2013
[Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass
that will grade select or better. Cattle and calves on feed are included in the cattle inventory estimates by classes]
State

2012

2013

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Arizona ...............................................................................
California ............................................................................
Colorado .............................................................................
Idaho ...................................................................................
Illinois ..................................................................................
Indiana ................................................................................
Iowa ....................................................................................
Kansas ................................................................................
Kentucky .............................................................................
Maryland .............................................................................

279.0
510.0
1,170.0
240.0
160.0
107.0
1,300.0
2,370.0
10.0
10.0

272.0
480.0
1,030.0
240.0
160.0
88.0
1,280.0
2,250.0
15.0
10.0

97
94
88
100
100
82
98
95
150
100

Michigan .............................................................................
Minnesota ...........................................................................
Missouri ..............................................................................
Montana ..............................................................................
Nebraska ............................................................................
Nevada ...............................................................................
New York ............................................................................
North Dakota .......................................................................
Ohio ....................................................................................
Oklahoma ...........................................................................

150.0
310.0
55.0
32.0
2,650.0
7.0
25.0
60.0
180.0
380.0

155.0
310.0
50.0
38.0
2,550.0
9.0
25.0
45.0
160.0
350.0

103
100
91
119
96
129
100
75
89
92

Oregon ................................................................................
Pennsylvania ......................................................................
South Dakota ......................................................................
Tennessee ..........................................................................
Texas ..................................................................................
Utah ....................................................................................
Virginia ................................................................................
Washington .........................................................................
West Virginia .......................................................................
Wisconsin ...........................................................................

70.0
75.0
320.0
9.0
2,950.0
26.0
23.0
235.0
5.0
240.0

60.0
75.0
300.0
3.0
2,730.0
28.0
23.0
247.0
4.0
240.0

86
100
94
33
93
108
100
105
80
100

Wyoming .............................................................................

75.0

65.0

87

.....................................................................

88.4

59.7

68

United States ......................................................................

14,121.4

13,351.7

95

Other States

1

1

Individual state estimates not available for states not shown, but are included in Other States.

10

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Number of Cattle Grazing on Small Grain Pasture – 3-State Total: January 1, 2012 and 2013
States

2012

Percent of
previous year

2013

(million head)
Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas ..................................................

(million head)
1.59

(percent)
1.34

84

Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: July 1, 2011 and 2012
Class

Percent of
previous year

2011

2012

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Cattle and calves ...........................................................................

100,000.0

97,800.0

98

Cows and heifers that have calved ................................................
Beef cows ..................................................................................
Milk cows ...................................................................................

40,600.0
31,400.0
9,200.0

39,700.0
30,500.0
9,200.0

98
97
100

Heifers 500 pounds and over .........................................................
For beef cow replacement ..........................................................
For milk cow replacement ..........................................................
Other heifers ..............................................................................

16,000.0
4,200.0
4,200.0
7,600.0

15,700.0
4,200.0
4,100.0
7,400.0

98
100
98
97

Steers 500 pounds and over ..........................................................
Bulls 500 pounds and over ............................................................
Calves under 500 pounds ..............................................................

14,200.0
2,000.0
27,200.0

14,000.0
1,900.0
26,500.0

99
95
97

Calf crop ........................................................................................

35,313.2

34,279.0

97

Cattle on feed ................................................................................

12,200.0

12,300.0

101

Calf Crop and Percent of Total by Six Month Period – United States: 2011 and 2012
2011
Period

2012
Percent of
total

Number
(1,000 head)

Percent of
total

Number

(percent)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

January 1 - June 30 ...........................
July 1 - December 31 .........................

25,700.0
9,613.2

72.8
27.2

25,000.0
9,279.0

72.9
27.1

Total ..................................................

35,313.2

100.0

34,279.0

100.0

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

11

Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: A random sample of United States producers was surveyed to provide data for these estimates.
Survey procedures ensured that all cattle producers, regardless of size, had a chance to be included in the survey. Large
producers were sampled more heavily than small operations. Data were collected from about 40,000 operators during the
first half of January by mail, telephone, and face-to-face personal interviews and 77 percent of the reports were usable.
Regardless of when operators responded, they were asked to report inventories as of January 1.
Estimating Procedures: These cattle estimates were prepared by the Agricultural Statistics Board after reviewing
recommendations and analysis submitted by each State office. National and State survey data were reviewed for
reasonableness with each other and with estimates from the previous year using a balance sheet. The balance sheet begins
with the previous inventory estimate, adds to it estimates of births and imports, and subtracts estimates of slaughter,
exports, and deaths. This indicated ending inventory level is compared to the Agricultural Statistics Board estimate for
reasonableness.
Revision Policy: Revisions to previous estimates are made to improve year to year and item to item relationships.
Estimates for the previous year are subject to revision when current estimates are made. The reviews are primarily based
on livestock slaughter and additional foreign trade and survey data. Estimates will also be reviewed after data from the
five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date.
Reliability: Since all cattle operators are not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability.
Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting,
recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through
rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and
reasonableness.
To assist users in evaluating the reliability of estimates in this report, the “Root Mean Square Error" is shown for
selected items in the table on the following page. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past
performance and is computed using the differences between first and latest estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for
cattle inventory estimates over the past 10 years is 0.5 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final
estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 89.3 million head by more than 0.5 percent. Chances are 9 out
of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.9 percent.
The table on the following page shows a 10 year record of the range of differences between first and latest estimates for
selected items. Using estimates of all cattle and calves as an example, changes between the first inventory estimate and the
latest estimate during the past 10 years have averaged 345,000 head, ranging from 0 to 830,000 head. During this period
the initial inventory estimate has been above the latest estimate 6 times and below the latest estimate 3 times. This does
not imply that the January 1 estimate is likely to understate or overstate final inventory.

12

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of January 1 Cattle Estimates
[Based on data for the past ten years]
Item

Root mean
square error
(percent)

90 percent
confidence
level
(percent)

Difference between first and latest estimate
Average

Smallest

Largest

(1,000
head)

(1,000
head)

(1,000
head)

Years
Above latest

Below latest

(number)

(number)

All cattle & calves ...........................

0.5

0.9

345

0

830

6

3

All cows ..........................................

0.6

1.1

190

0

505

6

3

Calf crop .........................................

1

1.8

270

0

674

5

4

Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to
contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to [email protected]
Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch .......................................................................................................... (202) 720-3570
Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ............................................................................................................ (202) 690-2424
Travis Averill – Cattle, Cattle on Feed ..................................................................................................... (202) 720-3040
Sherry Bertramsen – Livestock Slaughter ................................................................................................ (515) 284-4340
Doug Bounds – Hogs and Pigs ................................................................................................................. (202) 720-3106
Donnie Fike – Dairy Products .................................................................................................................. (202) 690-3236
Mike Miller – Milk Production and Milk Cows ....................................................................................... (202) 720-3278
Alissa Cowell-Mytar – Sheep and Goats .................................................................................................. (202) 720-4751

Cattle (February 2013)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

13

Access to NASS Reports
For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:
 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov
 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free
subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Follow NASS” box under “Receive reports by Email,”
click on “National” or “State” to select the reports you would like to receive.
For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540,
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: [email protected].
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