The total number of U.S. beef cattle has declined 14 of the last 16 years, with 2011 marking the sixth consecutive year of weakening numbers and the longest consecutive decline in history.

“When the USDA announced the cattle inventory for Jan. 1, one can only ask the question, ‘How much smaller can the U.S. cattle herd get?’” said Tom Troxel, associated head-Animal Science for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

“What does this mean to the consumer? USDA says beef and veal prices climbed by as much as 9 percent in 2011, and the agency projects that costs will rise an additional 4.5 to 5.5 percent in 2012,” Troxel said, adding that the higher prices for beef will affect consumer purchasing decisions.

“Restaurants are projecting that food prices will climb by about 4 percent in 2012, about the same amount as in 2011. Still, restaurants are expected to continue a trend toward smaller cuts of meat and price increases that will be watched closely by customers.”

John Barone, president of Marketvision, told Nation’s Restaurant News that he expected choice beef prices to rise 8 percent compared to 2011.

Drought has “reduced cattle herds and caused a lot of feeder cattle to be marketed at lower weights, resulting in less overall beef, even less choice-grade beef and higher prices in 2012,” said Barone, who expects the trend to continue into 2013.

The number of all cattle and calves in the United States on Jan. 1 was 90.8 million head, the lowest since 1952, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. In Arkansas, all cattle and calves were down 3 percent to 1.67 million head.

“Severe drought across the state, especially in the southwest section of the states, is the primary reason for the decline in cattle numbers,” Troxel said.

The U.S. beef cow herd was down 967,000 head, or 3 percent, to 29.9 million head. The beef head in Arkansas was down, too, but it declined 2 percent from 940,000 head in 2011 to 920,000 head in 2012.

In other states:

There were some states that actually saw an increase:

Another very interesting number is the 2011 calf crop.

“It is estimated to be 35.3 million head, down 1 percent from 2010,” said Troxel. “This is the smallest calf crop since 1950.”

The Arkansas 2011 calf crop was estimated at 800,000 head, unchanged from 2010. “The big question is: how much will the 2012 calf crop will be affected due to the weather of 2011?”

The smaller 2011 calf crop and increased number of cattle placed on feed in 2011 has resulted in a significantly smaller feeder and calf supply outside of feedlot.

“The result is cattle feeders are, and will continue to be, very aggressive in placing cattle into their feed yards from the available supply, which has been supportive to the higher feeder and calf markets,” Troxel said. “Cattle prices are expected to very strong in 2012, and many see cattle prices to be strong for two to four years.

Across the United States, the number of dairy cows increased 1 percent to 9.2 million head, but the number of dairy cows in Arkansas decreased 8 percent from 12,000 in 2011 to 11,000 in 2012.

For more information on cattle production, contact your county Extension office, or visit www.uaex.edu.