Kentucky Remains Largest Cattle Producer In The East
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the Cattle report today, showing little change in beef cow numbers, but a continued decline in milk cows in Kentucky.
“This report shows cattle production remains a vital part of the Commonwealth’s agricultural economy,” said David Knopf, director of the NASS Eastern Mountain Regional Office in Kentucky. “In 2015, gross receipts from cattle were $927 million, the second leading commodity behind broiler production.
The Kentucky cattle and calf inventory for January 1, 2017 was estimated at 2.16 million. Total inventory was down 10,000 head from last year.
“As the state with the largest cattle inventory east of the Mississippi, Kentucky’s role in beef production is significant,” Knopf said. “A majority of the calves born in the state are bought by feedlots in other states and become part of the U.S. beef supply.”
Cows and heifers that have calved were estimated at 1.08 million head, unchanged from 2016. Beef cow inventory was estimated at 1.02 million head, and milk cows were estimated at 57,000 head.
“Milk cow inventory continues to reach new lows and is down three percent from 2016,” Knopf reported.
Heifers 500 lbs. and over were estimated at 300,000 head, down 25,000 head from last year's estimate. Beef replacement heifers totaled 150,000 head, down 10,000 from January 2016. Dairy heifers, at 40,000 head, were down 10,000 from 2016. Other heifers, at 110,000 head, were down 5,000 from the previous year. Steers 500 lbs. and over numbered 210,000 head, down 15,000 from 2016. Bulls 500 lbs. and over were unchanged from a year ago and numbered 70,000 head. Calves less than 500 lbs. were estimated at 500,000 head, up 30,000 from the 2016 estimate. Cattle on feed were estimated at 18,000 head, up 1,000 from the previous year.
The 2016 calf crop was estimated at 980,000 head, up 10,000 from the previous year's estimate.