Page 6 - MWC 8-10-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · August 10, 2023 · P6
No Herd Rebuilding in Sight

By Derrell Peel - Oklahoma State University

The July heifers, along with a 5.2 per-
Cattle report cent decline in the inventory
showed that of other heifers. The invento-
the U.S. beef ry of steers over 500 pounds
cow herd con- was down 3.5 percent year
tinued to de- over year and the inventory of
cline through calves under 500 pounds was
the first half down 2.6 percent from one
of the year. year ago. The bull inventory
The July 1 beef cow inven- was down 5.0 percent year
tory was 29.4 million head, over year. Total cattle in feed-
down 2.6 percent year over lots on July 1 was 13.1 million
year. This is the fifth year of head, down 2.2 percent year
smaller beef cow inventories over year. The calculated sup-
since the 2018 cyclical peak, ply of feeder cattle (other heif-
with the beef cow herd down ers + steers + calves – cattle dation thus far in 2023, but ventory of heifers in feedlots
3.0 million head, a five-year on feed) based on this report there are also no clear indica- from the July Cattle on Feed
decrease of 9.3 percent. The is 34.4 million head, 3.6 per- tions that numbers will stabi- report was unchanged from
smaller beef cow herd is part cent smaller than last year. lize and grow anytime soon. last year, which indicates
of a general decrease in all The report pegged the 2023 The current inventory of beef that relatively large numbers
cattle numbers in the U.S. calf crop at 33.8 million head, replacement heifers is 4.05 of heifers continue to be fed
The total inventory of all down 1.9 percent year over million head, lower than the for slaughter rather than re-
cattle and calves in this re- year. The dairy cow inventory, previous cyclical low of 4.2 tained for breeding. Heifers
port was 95.9 million head, at 9.4 million head, was un- million head in 2011 and 2012 currently represent 39.9 per-
down 2.7 percent year over changed from last year and and is the lowest in 50 years cent of total feedlot invento-
year. The total inventory of was the only inventory cate- of available July 1 inventory ries, the highest proportion of
heifers was down 3.8 percent gory in the report not show- data. There is certainly no heifers in feedlots since 2001.
from last year with decreas- ing a year-over-year decrease. indication of heifer retention The sharp increase in feed-
es of 2.4 and 2.7 percent for Not only did the report in this replacement heifer
beef and dairy replacement show continued cattle liqui- inventory. Moreover, the in- continued on page 12

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