Cattle Inventory for Texas Lowest Since 1960

According to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service economist, historic drought conditions took a toll on the Texas cow herd in 2011, with more than 150,000 cattle leaving the state. Texas, the nation’s largest beef cow producing state, saw a decline in 2011, in the number of beef cows of 660,000, to 4.365 million head. 

“That’s the smallest cow herd since 1960,” said Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock marketing economist in College Station. “This decline was fueled by the drought, which left 2011 as the record holding driest year on record in Texas.”

Nationally, beef cattle numbers continue to decline to historic levels. USDA reported January 1 cattle inventory for all cattle and calves totaled 90.8 million head, 2% below the 92.7 million on Jan. 1, 2011. It is the lowest January 1 inventory of all cattle and calves since the 88.1 million on hand in 1952, according to USDA.

Meanwhile, cattle prices are predicted to continue to be at all-time highs. Retail beef prices are expected to remain high as well reflecting less supply, according to economists. The USDA report revealed the national 2011 calf crop was estimated at 35.3 million head, down 1% from 2010. USDA reports it’s the smallest calf crop since the 34.9 million born during 1950. (17 Images from Chron.com)