Decline in the US cattle herd

The recent United States Department of Agriculture's cattle inventory report confirmed analysts' expectations of lower numbers for the US cattle herd. As of the 1 January 2008, the US cattle herd totaled 96.7 million head, falling slightly below the 1 January 2007 cattle inventory of 97.0 million head.

A mix of dry conditions in the southeast of the US and higher feed cost has seen beef cow numbers decline 1% on 1 January 2007, to 32.6 million head. Heifers retained for beef cow replacement fell 4%, to 5.67 million head, while those breeders held back for dairy cow replacement rose 3%, to 4.46 million head. All other heifers were slightly down on 2007, to 9.88 million head. The 2007 calf crop was estimated at 37.4 million head, which is 0.4% lower than 2006.