Tennessee Cattle Inventory Lowest Since 1959

NASHVILLE, February 1, 2013 – The total number of cattle and calves in Tennessee on January 1, 2013, was1.83 million head, 7 percent below last year’s inventory and the lowest in over 50 years. This also marks the third consecutive year of declining inventory. Information in this report is based on a recent survey conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Tennessee Field Office. Debra Kenerson, State Director, remarked, “During the year Tennessee farmers liquidated some of their herds due to drought.” Results of the survey showed the following breakout on January 1, 2013, with comparison to the previous year: beef cows 912,000, down 4 percent; milk cows 48,000, down 4 percent; calves less than 500 pounds 440,000, down 4 percent; and steers weighing 500 pounds and over and other heifers 195,000 head, down 25 percent; 2012 calf crop 880,000 head, down 4 percent.