CATTLE NUMBERS AT ALL-TI!^ HIGH 



Cattle numbers on farms in the United States continued to increase in 19^3^ 

 and on January 1, 19^4-^ were at the all-time high of 82 million head. There ha.s been 

 a continuous increase since 193^ when there were 65 million head. 



The outlook for profits in cattle production in 19^^ depends largely on 

 feed supplies and range conditions this year. Normal marketing and culling of cattle 

 herds will maintain the market supply of lower grade cattle this fall. A short crop 

 year* aiid generally poor range conditions would force heavy marketings of cattle and 

 result in lower prices for unfinished cattle. Conservative culling of heef herds 

 while prices are high seems advisable. 



The demand for beef v;ill continue to be strong in 19^^. Beef is expected 

 to constitute 56 percent of the meat to be allocated to the United States military 

 and war services, and civilians are not getting all they want. 



Cattle feeding programs will continue to emphasize the utilization of 

 roughages ajid marketing at a lower degree of finish than in recent years. Finished 

 cattle will be in demand and the supply will be short. Prices for these cattle may 

 be erratic, depending upon the immediate supply and demand conditions. 



L. F. Stice 



NUi^BER OF CATTLE ON FARJ1S, JAI-IUARY 1, U.S. 



l885-19^i+ 



Millions 

 80 



60 



1+0 



20 



All cattle 



/ 



/ 



,.^ ^^- 



y 



/'■^ 



/ 



Cattle other than 

 milk cows _ 



Milk cows 





 1885 



i ■ I ' I I . I I I ' ■ ' i I. I ' I ! l_l_l — L 



1895 



1905 



I I I.-..', ! i — L_i ' ' I . ■ 



1915 



_1 ' \ I ■—!- 



-i 1_J ■ L. 



1925 



1935 



191+5 



