US cattle inventory down 2 percent on-year in Jan 1

US cattle and calves inventory totalled 94.5 million head as of January 1, 2009, down 2 percent on-year.

All cows and heifers that have calved decreased 2 percent on-year to 41 million head. Beef cows also decreased 2 percent to 31.7 million.

Milk cows at 9.33 million, were up 1 percent from January 1, 2008.

All heifers 500 pounds and over dropped 1 percent to 19.6 million. Beef replacement heifers fell 2 percent to 5.53 million and milk replacement heifers declined slightly to 4.41 million, while other heifers dropped 1 percent to 9.65 million.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over slipped 2 percent to 16.8 million, while bulls weighing 500 pounds and over dipped 1 percent to 2.18 million.