The January 1, 2023 Cattle inventory report included a beef cow herd of 28.9 million head, down 3.6 percent year over year and the smallest beef cow total since 1962. More importantly going forward, the report also included an inventory of beef replacement heifers of 5.16 million head, down 5.8 percent from the previous year.
The replacement heifer total included the inventory of heifers expected to calve of 3.17 million, down 5.1 percent year over year. Both the replacement heifer total and heifers expected to calve were the lowest since 2011.
The available supply of bred heifers (heifers…
