Cattle - Publication

Cattle
ISSN: 1948-9099

Released January 31, 2020, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA).

January 1 Cattle Inventory Down Slightly
All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2020 totaled 94.4 million head, slightly below the 94.8 million
head on January 1, 2019.
All cows and heifers that have calved, at 40.7 million head, were 1 percent below the 41.0 million head on January 1,
2019. Beef cows, at 31.3 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.33 million head, were down
slightly from the previous year.
All heifers 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2020 totaled 20.1 million head, slightly below the 20.2 million head on
January 1, 2019. Beef replacement heifers, at 5.77 million head, were down 2 percent from a year ago. Milk replacement
heifers, at 4.64 million head, were down 1 percent from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.71 million head, were
1 percent above a year earlier.
Steers weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2020 totaled 16.7 million head, down 1 percent from January 1,
2019.
Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2020 totaled 2.24 million head, down 1 percent from January 1,
2019.
Calves under 500 pounds as of January 1, 2020 totaled 14.7 million head, up 1 percent from January 1, 2019.
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 14.7 million head on
January 1, 2020. The inventory is up 2 percent from the January 1, 2019 total of 14.4 million head. Cattle on feed in
feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 81.5 percent of the total cattle on feed on January 1, 2020, up
slightly from the previous year. The combined total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over
500 pounds (outside of feedlots) at 26.4 million head, was slightly below January 1, 2019.

Calf Crop Down 1 Percent
The 2019 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 36.1 million head, down 1 percent from last year's calf crop.
Calves born during the first half of 2019 were estimated at 26.4 million head, down slightly from the first half of 2018.
Calves born during the second half of 2019 were estimated at 9.71 million head, 27 percent of the total 2019 calf crop.

Revisions
All inventory and calf crop estimates for July 1, 2018, January 1, 2019, and July 1, 2019 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, July 1, 2018 all cattle and calves decreased by 0.2 percent. January 1, 2019 all cattle and
calves increased slightly, all cows and heifers that have calved decreased by 0.2 percent, and 2018 calf crop decreased by
0.2 percent. July 1, 2019 all cattle and calves were decreased by 0.1 percent, all cows and heifers that have calved
decreased by 0.2 percent, and 2019 calf crop decreased by 0.7 percent.
State level estimates were reviewed and changes were made to reallocate inventory estimates to the United States total.

This report was approved on January 31, 2020.

Secretary of Agriculture
Designate
Robert Johansson

2

Agricultural Statistics Board
Chairperson
Joseph L. Parsons

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents
Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020 ............................................................ 4
All Cattle and Calves Inventory – United States: January 1 ................................................................................................... 4
Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020 .................................................................. 5
Calf Crop – States and United States: 2018 and 2019 ............................................................................................................ 9
All Cattle on Feed Inventory– States and United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020 ............................................................ 10
Cattle Grazing on Small Grain Pasture – 3-State Total: January 1, 2019 and 2020 ............................................................. 11
Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: July 1, 2018 and 2019................................................................ 11
Calf Crop by Period – United States: 2018 and 2019 ........................................................................................................... 11
Statistical Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
Reliability of January 1 Cattle Estimates .............................................................................................................................. 13
Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020
Class

2019

Percent of
previous year

2020

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

All cattle and calves ..............................................................................

94,804.7

94,413.3

100

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

41,044.1
31,690.7
9,353.4

40,651.3
31,316.7
9,334.6

99
99
100

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

20,210.0
5,884.9
3,528.9
4,701.5
3,005.7
9,623.6

20,114.4
5,771.9
3,499.4
4,637.0
2,931.4
9,705.5

100
98
99
99
98
101

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

16,757.7
2,253.0
14,539.9

16,671.2
2,237.4
14,739.0

99
99
101

All cattle on feed ...................................................................................

14,367.9

14,667.7

102

2018
Calf crop ...............................................................................................
1

Percent of
previous year

2019
36,312.7

36,059.6

99

Replacement heifers expected to calve during the year.

All Cattle and Calves Inventory – United States: January 1
Million head
105

100

95

90

85
1995

4

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020
All cattle and calves
State

All cows and heifers that have calved

2019

2020

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

2019

2020

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

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

1,300.0
16.0
1,020.0
1,780.0
5,150.0
2,850.0
47.0
15.0
1,680.0
1,070.0

1,310.0
17.0
970.0
1,740.0
5,200.0
2,800.0
49.0
15.0
1,680.0
1,100.0

101
106
95
98
101
98
104
100
100
103

710.0
7.0
420.0
940.0
2,360.0
970.0
24.0
6.5
1,030.0
580.0

700.0
8.0
395.0
920.0
2,390.0
960.0
25.0
6.0
1,020.0
600.0

99
114
94
98
101
99
104
92
99
103

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

142.0
2,500.0
1,190.0
880.0
3,950.0
6,400.0
2,130.0
800.0
78.0
197.0

140.0
2,490.0
1,100.0
840.0
3,900.0
6,450.0
2,130.0
780.0
80.0
179.0

99
100
92
95
99
101
100
98
103
91

77.0
1,120.0
490.0
385.0
1,150.0
1,690.0
1,070.0
470.0
40.0
94.0

76.0
1,130.0
460.0
370.0
1,120.0
1,600.0
1,070.0
460.0
39.0
89.0

99
101
94
96
97
95
100
98
98
95

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

37.0
1,160.0
2,320.0
900.0
4,250.0
2,500.0
6,800.0
470.0
33.0
30.0

34.0
1,150.0
2,280.0
920.0
4,350.0
2,500.0
6,800.0
480.0
32.0
28.0

92
99
98
102
102
100
100
102
97
93

17.5
530.0
820.0
485.0
2,140.0
1,460.0
2,000.0
275.0
16.0
15.0

15.5
520.0
800.0
490.0
2,160.0
1,440.0
1,980.0
280.0
15.0
14.0

89
98
98
101
101
99
99
102
94
93

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

1,480.0
1,450.0
800.0
1,830.0
1,310.0
5,300.0
1,310.0
1,600.0
4.7
350.0

1,450.0
1,470.0
810.0
1,900.0
1,290.0
5,200.0
1,280.0
1,530.0
4.3
340.0

98
101
101
104
98
98
98
96
91
97

805.0
730.0
410.0
990.0
560.0
2,190.0
660.0
730.0
2.1
200.0

810.0
730.0
410.0
1,010.0
550.0
2,140.0
660.0
700.0
1.8
190.0

101
100
100
102
98
98
100
96
86
95

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

4,050.0
1,800.0
13,000.0
810.0
255.0
1,440.0
1,180.0
390.0
3,450.0
1,300.0

3,900.0
1,810.0
13,000.0
820.0
250.0
1,450.0
1,200.0
395.0
3,450.0
1,320.0

96
101
100
101
98
101
102
101
100
102

1,940.0
950.0
5,200.0
440.0
140.0
710.0
510.0
205.0
1,560.0
720.0

1,900.0
940.0
5,150.0
455.0
137.0
700.0
510.0
205.0
1,570.0
730.0

98
99
99
103
98
99
100
100
101
101

United States .........

94,804.7

94,413.3

100

41,044.1

40,651.3

99
--continued

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

5

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020 (continued)
Beef cows that have calved
State

2019

2020

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Milk cows that have calved
Percent of
previous year

2019

2020

Percent of
previous year

(percent)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

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

705.0
6.8
215.0
935.0
630.0
792.0
4.5
2.0
914.0
499.0

696.0
7.7
202.0
915.0
665.0
771.0
5.5
2.2
904.0
519.0

99
113
94
98
106
97
122
110
99
104

5.0
0.2
205.0
5.0
1,730.0
178.0
19.5
4.5
116.0
81.0

4.0
0.3
193.0
5.0
1,725.0
189.0
19.5
3.8
116.0
81.0

80
150
94
100
100
106
100
84
100
100

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

75.5
506.0
405.0
204.0
930.0
1,529.0
1,017.0
459.0
11.0
50.0

75.3
495.0
378.0
194.0
905.0
1,433.0
1,021.0
450.0
11.0
47.0

100
98
93
95
97
94
100
98
100
94

1.5
614.0
85.0
181.0
220.0
161.0
53.0
11.0
29.0
44.0

0.7
635.0
82.0
176.0
215.0
167.0
49.0
10.0
28.0
42.0

47
103
96
97
98
104
92
91
97
95

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

7.0
108.0
370.0
477.0
2,059.0
1,448.0
1,941.0
242.0
4.0
9.5

5.5
93.0
355.0
482.0
2,083.0
1,428.0
1,922.0
249.0
4.0
9.3

79
86
96
101
101
99
99
103
100
98

10.5
422.0
450.0
8.0
81.0
12.0
59.0
33.0
12.0
5.5

10.0
427.0
445.0
8.0
77.0
12.0
58.0
31.0
11.0
4.7

95
101
99
100
95
100
98
94
92
85

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

480.0
105.0
367.0
975.0
307.0
2,150.0
535.0
225.0
1.4
186.0

480.0
105.0
369.0
995.0
298.0
2,099.0
533.0
220.0
1.2
179.0

100
100
101
102
97
98
100
98
86
96

325.0
625.0
43.0
15.0
253.0
40.0
125.0
505.0
0.7
14.0

330.0
625.0
41.0
15.0
252.0
41.0
127.0
480.0
0.6
11.0

102
100
95
100
100
103
102
95
86
79

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

1,818.0
914.0
4,655.0
340.0
14.0
631.0
230.0
198.0
290.0
714.0

1,773.0
909.0
4,570.0
358.0
13.0
626.0
228.0
199.0
310.0
724.0

98
99
98
105
93
99
99
101
107
101

122.0
36.0
545.0
100.0
126.0
79.0
280.0
7.0
1,270.0
6.0

127.0
31.0
580.0
97.0
124.0
74.0
282.0
6.0
1,260.0
6.0

104
86
106
97
98
94
101
86
99
100

United States .........

31,690.7

31,316.7

99

9,353.4

9,334.6

100
--continued

6

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020 (continued)
All heifers 500 pounds and over
State

Beef cow replacement

Milk cow replacement

Other

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

(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 .................

116.0
1.4
35.0
156.0
115.0
170.0
1.5
0.6
130.0
90.0

114.0
1.2
30.0
150.0
120.0
165.0
2.0
0.7
130.0
90.0

2.0
0.1
115.0
4.0
760.0
110.0
9.0
1.6
35.0
30.0

2.0
0.1
110.0
3.0
750.0
115.0
9.5
1.8
35.0
30.0

37.0
0.7
20.0
75.0
215.0
570.0
1.5
0.3
25.0
30.0

44.0
0.4
15.0
70.0
200.0
580.0
1.5
0.5
25.0
35.0

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

11.5
110.0
70.0
45.0
155.0
280.0
120.0
83.0
3.0
13.0

11.0
120.0
60.0
41.0
145.0
250.0
125.0
82.0
3.5
11.0

1.0
340.0
45.0
80.0
125.0
170.0
45.0
4.0
14.0
30.0

1.0
330.0
45.0
70.0
115.0
140.0
40.0
3.0
14.0
26.0

5.0
220.0
95.0
50.0
560.0
1,420.0
130.0
23.0
3.0
8.0

5.0
210.0
90.0
45.0
620.0
1,570.0
115.0
20.0
3.5
8.0

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

2.0
25.0
95.0
90.0
335.0
380.0
365.0
42.0
1.3
2.5

2.0
23.0
95.0
90.0
335.0
390.0
370.0
44.0
1.3
2.2

6.5
160.0
255.0
5.0
40.0
8.0
15.0
11.0
6.5
3.3

6.5
170.0
225.0
5.0
35.0
5.0
30.0
10.0
6.5
3.1

1.0
40.0
170.0
40.0
205.0
232.0
1,530.0
29.0
0.7
0.7

1.0
37.0
170.0
43.0
230.0
230.0
1,510.0
33.0
0.7
1.2

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

95.0
40.0
60.0
197.0
70.0
400.0
110.0
65.0
0.6
37.0

80.0
40.0
63.0
182.0
65.0
370.0
105.0
60.0
0.5
26.0

125.0
335.0
20.0
8.0
125.0
20.0
65.0
290.0
0.5
5.0

140.0
345.0
18.0
8.0
120.0
20.0
70.0
275.0
0.5
4.0

85.0
45.0
20.0
210.0
55.0
520.0
115.0
55.0
0.2
8.0

85.0
40.0
23.0
240.0
60.0
540.0
120.0
55.0
0.2
11.0

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

385.0
145.0
740.0
70.0
4.5
93.0
57.0
32.0
80.0
160.0

360.0
125.0
770.0
85.0
4.5
93.0
55.0
34.0
90.0
160.0

40.0
25.0
260.0
50.0
55.0
37.0
123.0
3.0
680.0
4.0

45.0
25.0
270.0
50.0
55.0
33.0
125.0
3.0
690.0
4.0

550.0
75.0
1,690.0
65.0
6.5
61.0
120.0
20.0
60.0
126.0

460.0
85.0
1,610.0
60.0
5.5
64.0
135.0
22.0
50.0
126.0

United States .........

5,884.9

5,771.9

4,701.5

4,637.0

9,623.6

9,705.5
--continued

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

7

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020 (continued)
State

Steers
500 pounds and over
2019

Bulls
500 pounds and over

2020

(1,000 head)

2019

(1,000 head)

Calves
under 500 pounds

2020

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

2019

2020

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

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

45.0
0.7
295.0
115.0
610.0
830.0
1.5
2.6
20.0
37.0

50.0
0.6
275.0
120.0
630.0
790.0
1.5
2.6
25.0
43.0

45.0
3.0
20.0
60.0
60.0
55.0
0.5
0.4
60.0
33.0

50.0
3.9
20.0
62.0
60.0
55.0
0.5
0.4
55.0
32.0

345.0
3.1
115.0
430.0
1,030.0
145.0
9.0
3.0
380.0
270.0

350.0
2.8
125.0
415.0
1,050.0
135.0
9.0
3.0
390.0
270.0

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

10.5
320.0
245.0
115.0
1,390.0
2,060.0
225.0
27.0
4.0
14.0

10.0
310.0
240.0
113.0
1,320.0
2,100.0
220.0
25.0
5.0
11.5

4.0
40.0
25.0
17.0
70.0
95.0
70.0
30.0
1.5
5.0

4.0
40.0
20.0
16.0
60.0
85.0
70.0
30.0
1.5
3.5

33.0
350.0
220.0
188.0
500.0
685.0
470.0
163.0
12.5
33.0

33.0
350.0
185.0
185.0
520.0
705.0
490.0
160.0
13.5
30.0

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

2.0
180.0
485.0
52.0
395.0
240.0
2,380.0
39.0
1.5
2.5

2.0
175.0
520.0
58.0
420.0
250.0
2,390.0
40.0
1.5
2.0

1.0
15.0
35.0
38.0
125.0
100.0
110.0
15.0
0.5
1.0

1.0
15.0
30.0
39.0
120.0
105.0
120.0
15.0
0.5
1.0

7.0
210.0
460.0
190.0
1,010.0
80.0
400.0
59.0
6.5
5.0

6.0
210.0
440.0
195.0
1,050.0
80.0
400.0
58.0
6.5
4.5

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

130.0
47.0
35.0
255.0
215.0
1,050.0
160.0
135.0
0.4
10.0

105.0
55.0
40.0
275.0
220.0
1,020.0
145.0
130.0
0.5
12.0

35.0
18.0
30.0
65.0
30.0
180.0
40.0
25.0
0.1
14.0

30.0
20.0
31.0
70.0
30.0
170.0
40.0
20.0
0.1
13.0

205.0
235.0
225.0
105.0
255.0
940.0
160.0
300.0
0.8
76.0

200.0
240.0
225.0
115.0
245.0
940.0
140.0
290.0
0.7
84.0

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

730.0
130.0
2,720.0
85.0
4.0
155.0
200.0
42.0
360.0
150.0

710.0
155.0
2,660.0
80.0
4.0
165.0
205.0
44.0
340.0
155.0

105.0
65.0
340.0
25.0
3.0
39.0
20.0
14.0
30.0
40.0

110.0
60.0
350.0
25.0
3.0
40.0
20.0
15.0
30.0
45.0

300.0
410.0
2,050.0
75.0
42.0
345.0
150.0
74.0
680.0
100.0

315.0
420.0
2,190.0
65.0
41.0
355.0
150.0
72.0
680.0
100.0

United States .........

16,757.7

16,671.2

2,253.0

2,237.4

14,539.9

14,739.0

8

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Calf Crop – States and United States: 2018 and 2019
State

2018

Percent of
previous year

2019

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

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

620.0
5.0
320.0
800.0
1,860.0
840.0
16.5
6.0
820.0
510.0

620.0
5.0
300.0
790.0
1,880.0
830.0
17.5
6.0
810.0
530.0

100
100
94
99
101
99
106
100
99
104

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

60.0
960.0
430.0
350.0
1,110.0
1,500.0
970.0
360.0
29.0
75.0

60.0
980.0
405.0
335.0
1,080.0
1,450.0
980.0
355.0
30.0
68.0

100
102
94
96
97
97
101
99
103
91

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

16.0
420.0
800.0
385.0
1,940.0
1,440.0
1,790.0
220.0
12.0
10.0

15.5
410.0
780.0
390.0
1,980.0
1,420.0
1,800.0
230.0
12.5
10.0

97
98
98
101
102
99
101
105
104
100

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

620.0
550.0
365.0
940.0
490.0
2,050.0
620.0
610.0
2.2
164.0

630.0
570.0
370.0
970.0
485.0
1,920.0
610.0
590.0
2.1
155.0

102
104
101
103
99
94
98
97
95
95

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

1,880.0
860.0
4,650.0
385.0
102.0
630.0
440.0
190.0
1,420.0
670.0

1,830.0
870.0
4,600.0
400.0
103.0
630.0
440.0
195.0
1,440.0
670.0

97
101
99
104
101
100
100
103
101
100

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

36,312.7

36,059.6

99

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

9

All Cattle on Feed Inventory– States and United States: January 1, 2019 and 2020
[Cattle and calves on feed are steers and heifers being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay, and/or protein supplement for slaughter market that are
expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. It excludes cattle being "backgrounded only" for later sale as feeders or later placement
in another feedlot. Cattle and calves on feed are included in the cattle inventory estimates by class]
State

2019

Percent of
previous year

2020

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

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

297.0
535.0
1,050.0
295.0
250.0
100.0
1,320.0
2,430.0
16.0
9.0

255.0
540.0
1,120.0
310.0
240.0
105.0
1,290.0
2,580.0
17.0
6.0

86
101
107
105
96
105
98
106
106
67

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

150.0
410.0
100.0
40.0
2,750.0
4.0
22.0
59.0
150.0
330.0

165.0
400.0
110.0
50.0
2,600.0
3.0
22.0
42.0
170.0
340.0

110
98
110
125
95
75
100
71
113
103

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

90.0
100.0
425.0
2,750.0
23.0
15.0
230.0
4.0
280.0
65.0

95.0
100.0
440.0
2,980.0
20.0
20.0
240.0
4.0
250.0
70.0

106
100
104
108
87
133
104
100
89
108

Other States 1 .....................................................................

68.9

83.7

121

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

14,367.9

14,667.7

102

1

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

10

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Grazing on Small Grain Pasture – 3-State Total: January 1, 2019 and 2020
States

2019
(1,000 head)

Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas ..................................................

Percent of
previous year

2020
(1,000 head)

1,900.0

(percent)

1,610.0

85

Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: July 1, 2018 and 2019
2018

2019

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Class

All cattle and calves .............................................................................

102,800.0

102,900.0

100

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

41,800.0
32,400.0
9,400.0

41,600.0
32,300.0
9,300.0

100
100
99

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

16,300.0
4,600.0
4,200.0
7,500.0

16,400.0
4,400.0
4,100.0
7,900.0

101
96
98
105

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

14,500.0
2,100.0
28,100.0

14,700.0
2,100.0
28,100.0

101
100
100

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

36,312.7

36,059.6

99

All cattle on feed ..................................................................................

13,300.0

13,600.0

102

Calf Crop by Period – United States: 2018 and 2019
2018
Period

2019

Number

Percent of
total

Number

Percent of
total

(1,000 head)

(percent)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

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

26,450.0
9,862.7

72.8
27.2

26,350.0
9,709.6

73.1
26.9

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

36,312.7

100.0

36,059.6

100.0

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

11

Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: A random sample of United States producers were 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 35,100 operators during the
first half of January by mail, telephone, internet, and face-to-face personal interviews and 68 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 Regional Field Offices. 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 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
all cattle and calves 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 94.4 million head by more than 0.5 percent. Chances
are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.8 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 330,000 head, ranging from 40,000 to 796,000 head. During this
period the initial inventory estimate has been above the latest estimate 3 times and below the latest estimate 7 times. This
does not imply that the January 1 estimate is likely to understate or overstate final inventory.

12

Cattle (January 2020)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of January 1 Cattle Estimates
[Based on data for the past 10 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
Below latest

Above latest

(number)

(number)

All cattle and calves .......................................

0.5

0.8

330

40

796

7

3

All cows and heifers that have calved ............

0.6

1.0

180

20

405

4

6

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

0.5

1.0

146

20

378

4

6

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].
Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ......................................................................................................... (202) 692-0069
Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........................................................................................................... (202) 690-2424
Sherry Bertramsen – Livestock Slaughter ................................................................................................ (202) 690-8632
Holly Brenize – Sheep and Goats ............................................................................................................. (202) 720-0585
Heidi Lanouette – Cattle, Cattle on Feed ................................................................................................. (202) 720-3040
Mike Miller – Milk Production and Milk Cows ....................................................................................... (202) 720-3278
Suzanne Richards – Dairy Products ......................................................................................................... (202) 720-4448
Seth Riggins – Hogs and Pigs .................................................................................................................. (202) 720-3106

Cattle (January 2020)
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: www.nass.usda.gov
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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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