South Dakota Ag Connection - South Dakota Cattle Numbers Down 7 Percent

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South Dakota Cattle Numbers Down 7 Percent
South Dakota Ag Connection - 02/01/2023

All cattle and calves in South Dakota as of January 1, 2023 totaled 3.55 million head, down 7% from January 1, 2022, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

All cows and heifers that had calved totaled 1.72 million head, down 3% from last year.

Beef cows totaled 1.53 million head, down 4% from last year.

Milk cows totaled 187,000 head, up 10% from January 1, 2022.

All heifers 500 pounds and over totaled 820,000 head, down 9% from last year.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 700,000 head, down 7% from last year.

Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 100,000 head, down 5% from last year.

Calves under 500 pounds totaled 210,000 head, down 22% from January 1, 2022.

All cattle on feed fed for slaughter in South Dakota feedlots totaled 430,000 head, down 3% from the previous year.

The 2022 calf crop totaled 1.68 million head, unchanged from 2021.

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2023 totaled 89.3 million head, 3 % below the 92.1 million head on January 1, 2022. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 38.3 million head, were 3 below the 39.4 million head on January 1, 2022. Beef cows, at 28.9 million head, were down 4 % from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.40 million head, were up slightly from the previous year.

All heifers 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2023 totaled 19.2 million head, 4% below the 19.9 million head on January 1, 2022. Beef replacement heifers, at 5.16 million head, were down 6% from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 4.34 million head, were down 2% from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.67 million head, were down 3% from a year earlier. Steers weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2023 totaled 16.1 million head, down 3% from January 1, 2022. Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2023 totaled 2.03 million head, down 4% from January 1, 2022. Calves under 500 pounds as of January 1, 2023 totaled 13.6 million head, down 3% from January 1, 2022.

The 2022 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 34.5 million head, down 2% from the previous year's calf crop.

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