By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor
American ranchers have been expanding their herds over the past two years, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
There are 4.4 million more head of cattle this month than this time in 2015, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) National July Cattle Inventory.
About 102.6 million head of cattle and calves were recorded in the mid-year national survey. That’s up four percent over July 2015 records.
There are no 2016 numbers to compare to due to budget constraints.
There are around 12.5 million cattle and calves on feed for slaughter this month. That’s up six percent over 2015.
The number of cows and heifers that have calved is up to 41.9 million head. That’s up five percent from this time in 2015.
The 2017 calf crop is expected to be 36.3 million, which is up three percent from last year and up five percent over 2015.
The National July Cattle Inventory is compiled based on a national survey of nearly 50,000 ranchers.
The report can be viewed here.
The national increases are also reflected in the Southern Plains Cattle on Feed Report from NASS.
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in Texas feedlots with capacity for 1,000 or more totaled 2.67 million on July 1.
That’s five percent higher than last year.
Texas ranchers placed 450,000 head of cattle in commercial feedlots in June, which is an increase of 18 percent over last year.
Commercial feeders in Texas marketed 420,000 head during June, which is down two percent over last year.
The majority–88 percent–of Texas’ total cattle and calves on feed are in the Panhandle. That’s about 2.35 million head of cattle, which is five percent higher than this time last year. It’s up slightly from June.
The Cattle on Feed Report is compiled using surveys completed the first two weeks of July. The data is provided by Texas and Oklahoma ranchers.
The full report can be viewed here.
The next Cattle on Feed Report from NASS for the Southern Plains will be released Aug. 25.
Do these cattle estimates include in any way the small ranchers who have herds from 20 to 60? Are these averages based on large cattle ranchers and the assumption is applied statewide?
Good afternoon! NASS surveys around 50,000 ranchers across the nation for this report. I know they survey a variety of ranchers, but I’m not sure if there’s a cutoff for herd size that they use. I did email the staffers who work on the report to get an answer to your specific question. I’ll get you an answer as soon as I can. Thank you for reading!
Dennis,
I just heard back from USDA. Here is their response:
“Survey Procedures: A random sample of United States producers was 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. Data were collected during the first half of June from about 38,000 small and medium sized operations. These operators were contacted by face-to-face personal interviews. About 10,000 large producers and feedlots were contacted during the first half of July by mail, telephone, and face-to-face personal interviews and 76 percent of the reports were usable. Operators were asked to report inventories as of the first of the month and calf crop for the entire year of 2017.
So the answer to your question is Yes small producers are surveyed, but it is a sample of the entire population of farms.”
Hope that helps! Jessica