The Farmer's Weblog
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Friday, February 7, 2003 |
USDA?s Cattle Inventory Report, released on January 31, 2003, confirmed cattle traders? and industry analysts? expectations that the number of cattle and calves has not appreciably changed in the last year. As of January 1, 2003, there were 96.1 million cattle and calves in the U.S., down 0.6% from the previous year. The number of beef cows that have calved is only slightly lower than at the beginning of 2002; however, producers did retain 0.8% more heifers for beef cow replacements. The 2002 calf crop, at 38.198 million head, is nearly unchanged from the previous year, but reflects a half percent decrease from USDA?s estimate last July.
7:02:12 PM
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Estimates put U.S. per person consumption of red meat and poultry at an all-time high in 2002. As has often been the case, much of the growth was in chicken consumption.
5:44:07 PM
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USDA?s January 1 estimate for the U.S. sheep population (Sheep and Goats, released January 31) confirmed continued depletion of the sheep flock. According to the report, there were 6.35 million head of sheep and lambs in the U.S., down 335,000 head (5 percent) from a year earlier and 9 percent below 2001?s. USDA reported the number of breeding ewes one year and older at 4.68 million head, down about 190,000 head from a year ago.
5:32:46 PM
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According to USDA's January 1, 2003, annual Cattle inventory report (released January 31) all cattle and calves in the U.S. totaled 96.1 million head. The cattle inventory was one percent below 2002's and 2001's inventory. This was the seventh consecutive year the breeding herd has posted a year-to-year decline. The current cattle inventory cycle continues to drag on, now having extended to 14 years.
5:31:17 PM
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