nd-livestock NEWS RELEASE Cattle Inventory January 28, 2005 NORTH DAKOTA CATTLE NUMBERS DECLINE North Dakota All cattle and calves as of January 1, 2005 totaled 1.71 million head, down 2 percent from the 1.75 million on January 1, 2004, according to the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. This was the fourth year that total January 1 inventory has declined since 1.98 million head in 2001 and was the lowest total inventory since 1991, which was 1.70 million head. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 980,000 head were up 1 percent from 970,000 on January 1, 2004 but down from 1.01 million cows on January 1, 2003. Beef cows, at 947,000, were also up 1 percent but down 3 percent from 2003. Milk cows, at 33,000 head, were equal to a year ago but down from 37,000 head on January 1, 2003. All heifers 500 pounds and over, at 375,000 head, were down 3 percent from a year ago and 6 percent below January 1, 2003. Heifers for beef cow replacement, at 147,000 head, were down 6 percent from 156,000 head on January 1, 2004 and were the lowest number since the 140,000 head on January 1, 1992. Heifers for milk cow replacement, at 18,000, were up from 14,000 a year ago and was the highest January 1 inventory since 20,000 head in 1998. Other heifers not for breeding, at 210,000 head, were down from 215,000 head a year ago and were at their lowest level since January 1, 1999, which was also 210,000 head. Steers weighing 500 pounds and over, at 230,000 head, were down 12 percent from last year and were the lowest since January 1, 1993, which was also 230,000 head. Calves under 500 pounds, at 70,000 head, were down from last year's 85,000 head and 116,000 head two years ago and were the lowest on record with 1920 being the first year calves were published. All cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in all feedlots, at 60,000 head, were down from 65,000 head a year ago and were the lowest since January 1, 1991 when 50,000 head were on feed. The 2004 calf crop was estimated at 960,000 head, equal to 2003's calf crop but down from the 2002 calf crop of 1.00 million head. United States All cattle and calves as of January 1, 2005, totaled 95.8 million head, 1 percent above the 94.9 million on January 1, 2004. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 42.1 million, were up 1 percent from the 41.9 million on January 1, 2004. Beef cows, at 33.1 million, were up 1 percent from January 1, 2004. Milk cows, at 9.01 million, were up slightly from January 1, 2004. Other class estimates on January 1, 2005, and the change from January 1, 2004, are as follows: all heifers 500 pounds and over, 19.7 million, up 2 percent; beef replacement heifers, 5.75 million, up 4 percent; milk replacement heifers, 4.13 million, up 3 percent; and other heifers, 9.79 million, down slightly. Steers weighing 500 pounds and over, 16.5 million, up 1 percent. Calves under 500 pounds, 15.4 million, up 1 percent. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in all feedlots, 13.7 million, down slightly. The combined total of calves under 500 pounds, and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds outside of feedlots was 27.9 million, up 2 percent. The 2004 calf crop was estimated at 37.6 million head, down 1 percent from 2003. Calves born during the first half of the year are estimated at 27.4 million, down 1 percent from 2003. CATTLE AND CALVES INVENTORY, January 1 NORTH DAKOTA UNITED STATES 1/ Class 2004 2005 2004 2005 -- 1,000 Head -- -- 1,000 Head -- Cattle & Calves 1,750 1,710 94,888 95,848 Cows & Heifers That Calved 970 980 41,851 42,060 Beef Cows 937 947 32,861 33,055 Milk Cows 33 33 8,990 9,005 Heifers 500 Pounds & Over 385 375 19,345 19,673 For Beef Cow Replacement 156 147 5,518 5,746 Expected to Calve 2/ --- --- 3,493 3,586 For Milk Cow Replacement 14 18 4,020 4,133 Expected to Calve 2/ --- --- 2,761 2,830 Other Heifers 215 210 9,806 9,793 Steers 500 Pounds & Over 260 230 16,277 16,511 Bulls 500 Pounds & Over 50 55 2,206 2,219 Calves Under 500 Pounds 85 70 15,210 15,385 Calf Crop 3/ 960 960 37,903 37,625 Cattle on Feed 65 60 13,813 13,749 1/ Totals may not add due to rounding. 2/ Replacement heifers expected to calve during the year. Published at U.S. level only. 3/ Preceding year. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: David Knopf, Director North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service NDSU, IACC Bldg., Room 448 P.O. Box 3166 Fargo, ND 58108-3166 Telephone: (701) 239-5306 E-Mail: nass-nd@nass.usda.gov Internet: http://www.nass.usda.gov/nd/