LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky cattle and calf inventory for Jan. 1, 2022, was estimated at 2.02 million head according to the Kentucky Field Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Total inventory was down 70,000 head from last year. 

Cows and heifers that have calved were estimated at 1.01 million head, down 10,000 head from the 1.02 million for 2021. Beef cow inventory was estimated at 966,000 head and milk cows were estimated at 44,000 head. 

Heifers 500 lbs. and over were estimated at 270,000 head, down 25,000 from last year’s estimate. Beef replacement heifers totaled 125,000 head, down 10,000 from January 2021. Dairy heifers, at 35,000 head, were down 5,000 from 2021. Other heifers, at 110,000 head, were down 10,000 from the previous year. Steers 500 lbs. and over numbered 215,000 head, down 15,000 from 2021. Bulls 500 lbs. and over were down 5,000 head from a year ago and numbered 60,000 head. Calves less than 500 lbs. were estimated at 465,000 head, down 15,000 from the 2021 estimate. Cattle on feed were estimated at 18,000 head, down 1,000 from the previous year. 

The 2021 calf crop was estimated at 970,000 head, up 20,000 from the previous year’s estimate. 

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2022 totaled 91.9 million head, 2% below the 93.8 million head on January 1, 2021. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 39.5 million head, were 2 below the 40.3 million head on January 1, 2021. Beef cows, at 30.1 million head, were down 2% from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.38 million head, were down 1% from the previous year. 

All heifers 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2022 totaled 19.8 million head, 2% below the 20.2 million head on January 1, 2021. Beef replacement heifers, at 5.61 million head, were down 3% from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 4.45 million head, were down 3% from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.71 million head, were down 1% from a year earlier. Steers weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2022 totaled 16.6 million head, down 1% from January 1, 2021. Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2022 totaled 2.11 million head, down 5% from January 1, 2021. Calves under 500 pounds as of January 1, 2022 totaled 13.9 million head, down 3% from January 1, 2021. 

 The 2021 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 35.1 million head, down 1% from the previous year’s calf crop.

— USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service