FARGO, N.D. — July cattle numbers were up 2 percent on farms from mid-2014, according to the USDA’s July 24 Cattle Inventory Report, marking the first increase in July 1 inventories since 2006, while indicating producers are continuing to expand their beef herds.

“U.S. cattle herd expansion that was first documented by the USDA-NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service) in the January 2015 cattle report, was confirmed in the July cattle report,” said Tim Petry, North Dakota State University extension service livestock economist, who analyzed the report. “All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2015, totaled 98.4 million head, 2 percent above the 96.3 million on July 1, 2014.”

If realized, the July 1 calf crop will be larger than the previous year for the second consecutive year, said Ron Plain and Scott Brown, University of Missouri agricultural economists, in their Cattle Outlook report.

“The last time we saw growth in the calf crop for two years in a row was 1994-95,” they said, adding “pasture conditions continue to support the herd expansion.”

According to Petry, the best overall pasture and range conditions in many years in states east of the Continental Divide and record calf prices spurred interest in beef cow herd rebuilding. “Beef cows that have calved at 30.5 million, were up 3 percent from July 1, 2014, with beef replacement heifers at 4.9 million, up 6.5 percent,” he added.

Last month, the USDA surveyed more than 10,000 cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories since Jan. 1. During the first two weeks of July, producers were asked to report their beef and dairy cattle inventories, calf crop, death loss and cattle-on-feed operations.

“In January of this year, the NASS reported that all cattle and calves inventory in the United States was 89.8 million head, which was the second-lowest since 1952,” said Mark Schleusener, Illinois State statistician. He said obtaining the current count of cattle served as a “strategic decision-making tool for producers and the entire agriculture industry.”

In addition, the semiannual report said all cows and heifers that have calved, at 39.8 million, were up 2 percent from July 1, 2014, with beef cows at 30.5 million (or about 2.5 percent higher than July 2014), up 3 percent from last July; and milk cows, at 9.3 million, were up 1 percent from July 2014.

The report also said other class estimates on July 1 and the percent change from July 1, 2014, had all heifers 500 pounds and over, at 15.9 million, up 2 percent; beef replacement heifers, at 4.9 million, up 7 percent; and milk replacement heifers, at 4.2 million, up 2 percent.

Moreover, other heifers, 6.8 million, were down 1 percent, while steers, weighing 500 pounds and over, 14.1 million, were up 3 percent. Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over were 1.9 million, unchanged, while calves under 500 pounds were 26.7 million, up 2 percent.

According to the report, the 2015 calf crop is expected to be 34.3 million, up 1 percent from 2014, with calves born during the first half of the year estimated at 24.8 million, up 1 percent from the previous year.

The report also stated U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market for all feedlots totaled 12.1 million head on July 1, with the inventory up 2 percent from July 2014, totaling 11.9 million head. Cattle on feed in feedlots with capacities of 1,000 or more head accounted for 85 percent of the total cattle on feed on July 1, up slightly from last year.

Petry said because this report didn’t gather cattle numbers on a state-by-state basis in July as it did in January – due mainly to USDA budget cuts earmarked for specific reports – “an analysis of where rebuilding is happening is not possible.”

“The January report showed several Southern Plains states that had suffered with several years of severe drought, expanded beef cow numbers in 2014, with improved moisture,” he said. “Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado accounted for 534,000 of the total 607,700 head increase in beef cows on Jan. 1, 2015. Those states likely accounted for much of the continued increase in cows in 2015.”

On the cash cattle side, Brian Williams, Mississippi State University assistant extension professor of agricultural economics, said cash-traded fed cattle finished lower the week ending July 24.

“The five-area fed steer price ended the week (of July 24) at $145.40 for live sales and $232.03 for dressed; respectively, down 60 cents and $2.97,” he said. “Total volume sold was 1,000 head higher than a week ago, but 32,000 head lower than last year.”

He added feeder steer cattle and calves were mostly lower across the United States last week. “Oklahoma City lightweight steers were $2 to $5 lower, while heavy steers were $3 to $5 lower.”

To view the full report online, visit http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/Catt/Catt-07-24-2015.txt

Presidential Scholars program adds career, technical ed 

INDIANAPOLIS — As part of an executive order by President Barack Obama, career and technical education students will now be able to be designated as U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of America’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. Each year, the program recognizes two high school seniors from each state and 15 scholars at-large on the basis of excellence in scholarship. An additional 20 scholars are selected for exceptional talent in the arts.

“We are extremely honored by this decision,” National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown said. “This action elevates the value and importance of career and technical education where agricultural education plays a key role.”

Next year, the White House will welcome the inaugural class of 20 CTE Presidential Scholars, who will be selected by the Commission on Presidential Scholars based on outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability in career and technical education.