In July, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will survey about 41,000 cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories.
“This information helps producers make timely, informed business decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction. It also helps packers and government leaders evaluate expected slaughter volume for future months, and determine potential supplies for export,” says Dan Lofthus, Minnesota state statistician. “Obtaining the current count of cattle will serve as an important decision-making tool for the entire agriculture industry.”
During the first two weeks of July, Minnesota producers will have the opportunity to report their beef and dairy cattle inventories, and calf crop, death loss and cattle-on-feed information.
To make it as convenient as possible for producers to participate in the survey, NASS offers the option of responding via the internet, mail or a telephone interview with a NASS representative. NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. Survey results will be published in the July Cattle report to be released on July 23.
This and all NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/index.
For more information, call the NASS Minnesota Field Office at 651-728-3113.