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Western Farm Show

By
Editor
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By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau

Billed as, Nearly everything an agribusiness professional would need or want, this year’s 54th edition of the Western Farm Show lived up to its slogan.

Each year thousands of farmers, ranchers, school children, FFA youngsters and urbanites attended the two-day event at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City.

Farmers and ranchers spend hours walking around the 400,000 square feet of displays of machinery, buildings, livestock equipment, tools, feed and seed and the more than 500 exhibits.

Veteran Doniphan County farmer Neil Coufal has attended the farm show since he was a kid nearly 60 years ago. Like so many of his peers, he attends the annual event to walk around and see what’s new. He drove 70 miles to the show.

Coufal likes to look at and learn about new farm and ranch products. It’s also a day to leave the farm behind and visit with those attending the show.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Coufal says. “It’s an opportunity to see friends and neighbors.”

The Doniphan County farmer/stockman spends most of the day at the Western Farm Show. He takes his time and it usually takes hours to see all he wants to see.

A couple years back, Coufal purchased a chopper for his combine. Equipment dealers at the show often run specials.

At the 2015 edition, Coufal visited the Abilene Machine display. Here he inquired about side mirrors for his tractor.

“I pull a grain cart behind my tractor and it’s difficult to see around the sides of the cart driving down the road,” he says.

While visiting with a salesperson at the exhibit, Coufal asked for a quote and plans to buy the mirrors.

Hardi North America from Davenport, Iowa displayed their sprayers at this year’s show. The company, which originated in Ontario, specializes in sprayers.

Sprayers range from small pull type units to the large 1,300 gallon self-propelled machine with 132-foot booms. Hardi’s target audience ranges from small farmers to commercial applicators.

Jeremy O’Hare, Hardi rep., says the show offers a “terrific” venue to showcase their equipment.

While most of the farm show-goers include farmers and ranchers from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, approximately 3,000 high school students affiliated with FFA attend the two-day event as do people from the Kansas City area.

Many of the city dwellers grew up on a farm or still have parents farming. Some are still interested in seeing and learning about what’s happening in agriculture.

This show provides a great opportunity to talk to manufacturers and suppliers without experiencing the pressure of buying such equipment. It kind of blows some of us away seeing what’s going on in this industry today.

John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.  

– See more at: http://www.kfb.org/news/insight/index.html#sthash.9wWGwLTe.dpuf

Laugh Tracks in the Dust

By
Milo Yield
-
0
Thayne Cozart
Milo Yield

  This true story happened quite a few years ago. A young rancher, Bill Melater, had crafted a reputation as a sound businessman. He wuzn’t what you’d call “tight” with his money — more like “savvy frugal” — willingly to spend money when necessary, but not until after “more frugal” alternatives were weighed.

Well, it happened that ol’ Bill had a couple of children who had arrived at an age when they wanted to show a 4-H Club bucket calf at the local county fair.

Bill figgered it was a perfect 4-H project for his kids because he calved out enuf cows every spring that he “just knew” he’d end up with two or more orphan calves for the kids’ bucket calf project. Some cow would have twins, or one would die or not claim her calf, or one’s udder would go bad.

For years, Bill had never went through a calving season without having two or more orphan calves, so he felt pretty confident his kids’ bucket calves would fall into his lap without necessitating a trip to the local auction barn to purchase the project calves.

Well, when the cows started calving, one of the first had twins, and could care for only one … so Bill’s son had his “automatic” bucket calf.

But the days and weeks rolled right on through the end of the calving season with every calf alive and thriving on it’s mama and to Bill’s consternation the second bucket calf for his daughter had failed to materialize. Put another way, Bill’s calving season had been too successful.

Bill’s first inclination wuz to simply tell his little gal that she had no bucket calf for the fair. But, he quickly put that thought aside as unworkable. So, he started asking his friends around the county for help in locating a bucket calf.

When one of Bill’s best friends heard about Bill’s bucket calf predicament, he volunteered to solve Bill’s problem of finding an orphan calf. “Don’t worry, I’ll see to it that you get that orphan calf you need before tomorrow,” he promised Bill.

“Just how do you plan to get me an orphan calf that quickly,” Bill came back.

“Because just as soon as you leave, I’m going to drive by your calving pasture and shoot one of your cows dead,” the friend replied.

Bill got the message. His daughter showed a bucket calf at the fair that summer — a calf that Bill bought at the local sale barn.

***

My county extension agent friend, ol’ Avery Ware, has been a well-spring of true cell phone stories in recent weeks. But this week he told me a different kind of true funny story that happened to him.

Last October, Avery went to a state extension meeting in Manhattan. He noted that extension meetings nowadays contrast with similar meetings from days of yore by at least one thing. These days, the munchies during the breaks included fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars, etc. Long gone are the unhealthful, fattening munchies of days gone by — donuts, cookies, potato chips, and candy.

Well, as it turns out, Avery had to leave the afternoon meeting early before the munchies break. So, on his way past the fresh fruit, he grabbed an appealing apple to munch on his drive home and stuck the apple in his jacket pocket.

And, forgot all about it! For more than four months! Well, last weekend he’d gotten an invitation to the 80th birthday party of a farmer in his county. It wuz a nice day, so he grabbed the light jacket he’d not worn since last October.

He drove to the party and as he entered, Avery happened to stick his right hand into his jacket pocket and right smack into a very juicy, thoroughly rotten apple. Avery’s hand wuz so covered in rotten, putrid apple gunk that he couldn’t even shake hands with the guest of honor until after he’d cleaned out his jacket pocket and washed his hands.

As an afterthought, Avery told me, “Milo, all winter every time I opened that coat closet door, I thought I smelled an apple-scented air freshener that someone had hung in the closet. Turns out it was just the opposite of fresh scented.”

***

By the time you read this column, we’ll be experiencing the joys of daylight savings time. In some ways, DST is a harbinger of spring. However, just last week, I got to see two other harbingers of spring.

One afternoon, just before a little snow storm hit, Damphewmore Acres got flash mobbed, twice — first by hundreds of robins who seemed to fall from the sky out of nowhere. They dispersed evenly across the acreage,  spaced about 4 feet apart. They fed for about an hour, then flew off as quickly as they’d arrived. Haven’t seen a robin sinse.

The second flash mob arrived right after the robins left. This time it wuz a hoards of thousands of starlings. And, they settled into a “black-feathered bird mat” under the big mature cedar trees in the yard. They were packed tightly within the drip line of those cedars gorging themselves on cedar seeds.

When that horde of starlings left, I thought to myself, “No wonder there’s so many invasive cedar trees. That flock will scatter seeds far and wide.”

***

Here’s my own words of wisdom for the week. Someone asked me why I don’t “tweet” on social media. I told them, “To me, tweeting is like kissing yourself in the mirror. It’s narcissistic and reaffirms to yourself that you exist and are lovable. ‘I’m here!’ It shouts. Sadly, nobody cares what you write. They’re self-absorbed, too.”

Have a good un.

United States and Canadian Cattle and Sheep

By
Editor
-
0
ISSN: 1949-1859

Released March 5, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).

United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Up 1 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 101.7 
million head on January 1, 2015, up 1 percent from the 100.7 million on 
January 1, 2014. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 43.8 million head, 
were up 1 percent from a year ago.
						
All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2015, totaled 
89.8 million head, 
1 percent above the 88.5 million on January 1, 2014. All cows and heifers 
that have calved, at 39.0 million head, were up 2 percent from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of January 1, 2015, totaled 11.9 million 
head, down 2 percent from the 12.2 million on January 1, 2014. All cows and 
heifers that have calved, at 4.78 million, were down 2 percent from a year 
ago.

United States and Canadian Sheep Inventory Up Slightly 

All sheep and lambs in the United States and Canada combined totaled 6.14 
million head on January 1, 2015, up slightly from the 6.12 million on January 
1, 2014. Breeding sheep, at 4.58 million head, were up slightly from a year 
ago and market sheep and lambs, at 1.56 million head, were down slightly from 
last year.
						
All sheep and lambs in the United States as of January 1, 2015, totaled 5.28 
million head, 
1 percent above the 5.25 million head on January 1, 2014. Breeding sheep, at 
3.94 million head, were up 1 percent from a year ago, while market sheep and 
lambs, at 1.35 million head, were unchanged from last year.

All sheep and lambs in Canada as of January 1, 2015, totaled 859 thousand 
head, down 
2 percent from last year's number of 875 thousand. Breeding sheep, at 648 
thousand head, were down 2 percent from last year. Market sheep and lambs, at 
211 thousand head, were down 1 percent from a year ago.

Cattle and Calf Inventory by Class and Calf Crop - United States and Canada:
January 1, 2010-2013
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Class                 :  2010   :  2011   :  2012   :  2013   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :              1,000 head               
                                        :                                       
Cattle and calves ......................:106,751.2 105,042.4 103,405.2 102,400.2
                                        :                                       
Cows and heifers that have calved ......: 45,718.6  45,079.3  44,465.8  43,748.2
  Beef cows ............................: 35,665.9  34,958.1  34,271.9  33,566.5
  Milk cows ............................: 10,052.7  10,121.2  10,193.9  10,181.7
                                        :                                       
All other cattle .......................: 61,032.6  59,963.1  58,939.4  58,652.0
                                        :                                       
Calf crop 1/ ...........................: 40,497.6  39,997.1  38,930.8  38,246.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  January to December calf crop.                                              
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service and Livestock and Animal       
Products Section, Statistics Canada.                                            

Cattle and Calf Inventory by Class and Calf Crop - United States and Canada:
January 1, 2014 and 2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :            :            :  2015 as   
                  Class                 :    2014    :    2015    :  percent   
                                        :            :            :  of 2014   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        : ----- 1,000 head -----     percent   
                                        :                                      
Cattle and calves ......................: 100,746.0    101,715.0       101     
                                        :                                      
Cows and heifers that have calved ......:  43,155.6     43,781.1       101     
  Beef cows ............................:  32,988.7     33,517.5       102     
  Milk cows ............................:  10,166.9     10,263.6       101     
                                        :                                      
All other cattle .......................:  57,590.4     57,933.9       101     
                                        :                                      
Calf crop 1/ ...........................:  38,498.5                    (X)     
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(X)  Not applicable.                                                           
1/ January to December calf crop.                                              
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service and Livestock and Animal      
Products Section, Statistics Canada.                                           

Cattle and Calf Inventory by Class and Calf Crop - United States:
January 1, 2010-2013
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Class                 :  2010   :  2011   :  2012   :  2013   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :              1,000 head               
                                        :                                       
Cattle and calves ......................:94,081.2  92,887.4  91,160.2  90,095.2 
                                        :                                       
Cows and heifers that have calved ......:40,526.4  40,068.2  39,517.4  38,852.5 
  Beef cows ............................:31,439.9  30,912.6  30,281.9  29,631.3 
  Milk cows ............................: 9,086.5   9,155.6   9,235.5   9,221.2 
                                        :                                       
Heifers 500 pounds and over ............:19,777.8  19,649.8  19,444.8  19,255.5 
  For beef cow replacement .............: 5,443.0   5,134.6   5,280.6   5,429.2 
  For milk cow replacement .............: 4,551.2   4,577.2   4,618.0   4,545.7 
  Other heifers ........................: 9,783.6   9,938.0   9,546.2   9,280.6 
                                        :                                       
Steers 500 pounds and over .............:16,568.4  16,394.0  15,956.5  15,930.5 
Bulls 500 pounds and over ..............: 2,190.1   2,165.1   2,100.3   2,073.7 
Calves under 500 pounds ................:15,018.5  14,610.3  14,141.2  13,983.0 
                                        :                                       
Calf crop 1/ ...........................:35,739.8  35,357.2  34,469.0  33,730.0 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  January to December calf crop.                                              
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service.                               

Cattle and Calf Inventory by Class and Calf Crop - United States:
January 1, 2014 and 2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :            :            :  2015 as   
                  Class                 :    2014    :    2015    :  percent   
                                        :            :            :  of 2014   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :  ----- 1,000 head ----     percent   
                                        :                                      
Cattle and calves ......................:  88,526.0     89,800.0       101     
                                        :                                      
Cows and heifers that have calved ......:  38,293.0     39,000.0       102     
  Beef cows ............................:  29,085.4     29,693.1       102     
  Milk cows ............................:   9,207.6      9,306.9       101     
                                        :                                      
Heifers 500 pounds and over ............:  18,969.4     19,240.2       101     
  For beef cow replacement .............:   5,551.3      5,777.4       104     
  For milk cow replacement .............:   4,548.7      4,615.4       101     
  Other heifers ........................:   8,869.4      8,847.4       100     
                                        :                                      
Steers 500 pounds and over .............:  15,667.9     15,778.5       101     
Bulls 500 pounds and over ..............:   2,037.8      2,104.4       103     
Calves under 500 pounds ................:  13,557.9     13,676.9       101     
                                        :                                      
Calf crop 1/                            :  33,900.0                    (X)     
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(X)  Not applicable.                                                           
1/ January to December calf crop.                                              
Source:  National Agricultural Statistics Service.                             

Cattle and Calf Inventory by Class and Calf Crop - Canada: January 1, 2010-2013
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Class                 :  2010   :  2011   :  2012   :  2013   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :              1,000 head               
                                        :                                       
Cattle and calves ......................:12,670.0  12,155.0  12,245.0  12,305.0 
                                        :                                       
Cows and heifers that have calved ......: 5,192.2   5,011.1   4,948.4   4,895.7 
  Beef cows ............................: 4,226.0   4,045.5   3,990.0   3,935.2 
  Milk cows ............................:   966.2     965.6     958.4     960.5 
                                        :                                       
Heifers 1 year and over ................: 1,953.8   1,896.0   1,948.1   1,967.2 
  For beef cow replacement .............:   505.2     510.0     521.4     542.0 
  For milk cow replacement .............:   465.1     466.3     456.9     451.2 
  Other heifers ........................:   983.5     919.7     969.8     974.0 
                                        :                                       
Steers 1 year and over .................: 1,263.8   1,203.4   1,282.6   1,248.5 
Bulls 1 year and over ..................:   226.0     214.3     213.2     210.8 
Calves under 1 year ....................: 4,034.2   3,830.2   3,852.7   3,982.8 
                                        :                                       
Calf crop 1/ ...........................: 4,757.8   4,639.9   4,461.8   4,516.3 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ January to December calf crop.                                               
Source: Livestock and Animal Products Section, Statistics Canada.               

Cattle and Calf Inventory by Class and Calf Crop - Canada:
January 1, 2014 and 2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :            :            :  2015 as   
                  Class                 :    2014    :    2015    :  percent   
                                        :            :            :  of 2014   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :  ----- 1,000 head ----     percent   
                                        :                                      
Cattle and calves ......................:  12,220.0     11,915.0        98     
                                        :                                      
Cows and heifers that have calved ......:   4,862.6      4,781.1        98     
  Beef cows ............................:   3,903.3      3,824.4        98     
  Milk cows ............................:     959.3        956.7       100     
                                        :                                      
Heifers 1 year and over ................:   1,947.2      1,891.9        97     
  For beef cow replacement .............:     539.1        531.1        99     
  For milk cow replacement .............:     444.2        444.6       100     
  Other heifers ........................:     963.9        916.2        95     
                                        :                                      
Steers 1 year and over .................:   1,246.8      1,179.2        95     
Bulls 1 year and over ..................:     214.0        212.8        99     
Calves under 1 year ....................:   3,949.4      3,850.0        97     
                                        :                                      
Calf crop 1/ ...........................:   4,598.5                    (X)     
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(X)  Not applicable.                                                           
1/ January to December calf crop.                                              
Source: Livestock and Animal Products Section, Statistics Canada.              

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class and Lamb Crop - United States and Canada:
January 1, 2010-2013
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Class                    :  2010   :  2011   :  2012   :  2013   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :              1,000 head               
                                             :                                       
All sheep and lambs .........................: 6,475.3   6,349.9   6,263.3   6,259.5 
                                             :                                       
Breeding sheep and lambs ....................: 4,826.9   4,735.5   4,666.0   4,659.5 
  Replacement lambs - under one year old ....:   730.5     747.0     746.2     760.1 
  Ewes - one year old and older .............: 3,875.7   3,772.2   3,722.9   3,692.6 
  Rams - one year old and older .............:   220.7     216.3     196.9     206.8 
                                             :                                       
Market sheep and lambs ......................: 1,648.4   1,614.4   1,597.3   1,600.0 
  Market sheep 1/ ...........................:    80.0      80.0      89.0      81.0 
  Market lambs 2/ ...........................: 1,568.4   1,534.4   1,508.3   1,519.0 
                                             :                                       
Lamb crop 3/ ................................: 4,405.7   4,316.0   4,272.0   4,202.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ United States market sheep only.                                                  
2/ Canada market lambs include small amounts of market sheep.                        
3/  January to December lamb crop.                                                   
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service and Statistics Canada, Livestock and
Animal Products Section.                                                             

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class and Lamb Crop - United States and Canada:
January 1, 2014 and 2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :            :            :  2015 as   
                    Class                    :    2014    :    2015    :  percent   
                                             :            :            :  of 2014   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :  ---- 1,000 head ----      percent   
                                             :                                      
All sheep and lambs .........................:  6,119.7      6,138.6        100     
                                             :                                      
Breeding sheep and lambs ....................:  4,562.3      4,583.0        100     
  Replacement lambs - under one year old ....:    719.8        730.0        101     
  Ewes - one year old and older .............:  3,641.7      3,652.8        100     
  Rams - one year old and older .............:    200.8        200.2        100     
                                             :                                      
Market sheep and lambs ......................:  1,557.4      1,555.6        100     
  Market sheep 1/ ...........................:     81.0         85.0        105     
  Market lambs 2/ ...........................:  1,476.4      1,470.6        100     
                                             :                                      
Lamb crop 3/ ................................:  4,281.0                     (X)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(X)  Not applicable.                                                                
1/ United States market sheep only.                                                 
2/ Canada market lambs include small amounts of market sheep.                       
3/ January to December lamb crop.                                                   
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service and Statistics Canada, Livestock   
and Animal Products Section.                                                        

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class and Lamb Crop - United States: January 1, 2010-2013
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Class                    :  2010   :  2011   :  2012   :  2013   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :              1,000 head               
                                             :                                       
All sheep and lambs .........................: 5,620.0   5,470.0   5,375.0   5,360.0 
                                             :                                       
Breeding sheep and lambs ....................: 4,185.0   4,070.0   3,995.0   3,985.0 
  Replacement lambs - under one year old ....:   655.0     665.0     660.0     670.0 
  Ewes - one year old and older .............: 3,335.0   3,215.0   3,165.0   3,135.0 
  Rams - one year old and older .............:   195.0     190.0     170.0     180.0 
                                             :                                       
Market sheep and lambs ......................: 1,435.0   1,400.0   1,380.0   1,375.0 
  Market sheep ..............................:    80.0      80.0      89.0      81.0 
  Market lambs ..............................: 1,355.0   1,320.0   1,291.0   1,294.0 
                                             :                                       
Lamb crop 1/ ................................: 3,570.0   3,490.0   3,445.0   3,370.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  January to December lamb crop.                                                   
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service.                                    

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class and Lamb Crop - United States:
January 1, 2014 and 2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :            :            :  2015 as   
                    Class                    :    2014    :    2015    :  percent   
                                             :            :            :  of 2014   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :  ---- 1,000 head ----      percent   
                                             :                                      
All sheep and lambs .........................:  5,245.0      5,280.0        101     
                                             :                                      
Breeding sheep and lambs ....................:  3,900.0      3,935.0        101     
  Replacement lambs - under one year old ....:    635.0        650.0        102     
  Ewes - one year old and older .............:  3,090.0      3,110.0        101     
  Rams - one year old and older .............:    175.0        175.0        100     
                                             :                                      
Market sheep and lambs ......................:  1,345.0      1,345.0        100     
  Market sheep ..............................:     81.0         85.0        105     
  Market lambs ..............................:  1,264.0      1,260.0        100     
                                             :                                      
Lamb crop 1/ ................................:  3,440.0                     (X)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(X)  Not applicable.                                                                
1/ January to December lamb crop.                                                   
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service.                                   

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class and Lamb Crop - Canada: January 1, 2010-2013
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Class                    :  2010   :  2011   :  2012   :  2013   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :              1,000 head               
                                             :                                       
All sheep and lambs .........................:  855.3     879.9     888.3     899.5  
                                             :                                       
Breeding sheep and lambs ....................:  641.9     665.5     671.0     674.5  
  Replacement lambs - under one year old ....:   75.5      82.0      86.2      90.1  
  Ewes - one year old and older .............:  540.7     557.2     557.9     557.6  
  Rams - one year old and older .............:   25.7      26.3      26.9      26.8  
                                             :                                       
Market sheep and lambs ......................:  213.4     214.4     217.3     225.0  
                                             :                                       
Lamb crop 1/ ................................:  835.7     826.0     827.0     832.0  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  January to December lamb crop.                                                   
Source: Statistics Canada, Livestock and Animal Products Section.                    

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class and Lamb Crop - Canada: January 1, 2014 and 2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :            :            :  2015 as   
                    Class                    :    2014    :    2015    :  percent   
                                             :            :            :  of 2014   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             :   --- 1,000 head ---       percent   
                                             :                                      
All sheep and lambs .........................:   874.7        858.6          98     
                                             :                                      
Breeding sheep and lambs ....................:   662.3        648.0          98     
  Replacement lambs - under one year old ....:    84.8         80.0          94     
  Ewes - one year old and older .............:   551.7        542.8          98     
  Rams - one year old and older .............:    25.8         25.2          98     
                                             :                                      
Market sheep and lambs ......................:   212.4        210.6          99     
                                             :                                      
Lamb crop 1/ ................................:   841.0                      (X)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(X)  Not applicable.                                                                
1/ January to December lamb crop.                                                   
Source: Statistics Canada, Livestock and Animal Products Section.                   

This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS 
to release the number of cattle and calves by class and calf crop for both 
countries within one publication. This information was requested by the 
United States cattle industry to provide producers additional information 
about potential beef, mutton and lamb supplies. United States inventory 
numbers were previously released on July 25, 2014.

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock 
Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to 
contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent 
to [email protected].

Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570

Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424
   Travis Averill - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ...... (202) 720-3040
   Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 720-3240
   Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs .................. (202) 720-3106
   Donnie Fike - Dairy Products ................. (202) 690-3236
   Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278
   Evan Schulz - Sheep and Goats ................ (202) 720-6147

Access to NASS Reports

For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following 
ways:

 	All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web 
site: http://www.nass.usda.gov

 	Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-
mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit 
http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Follow NASS" box under "Receive 
reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports 
you would like to receive. 

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural 
Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: 
[email protected]. 
  
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against 
its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, 
color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, 
reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial 
or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's 
income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic 
information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded 
by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs 
and/or employment activities.) 
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, 
complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online 
at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA 
office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a 
letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your 
completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at 
[email protected].

United States and Canadian Hogs

By
Editor
-
0
hog
Photo Credit: Matthew Paulson
ISSN: 1949-1956

Released March 5, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).

United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Up 2 Percent 

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for December 2014 
was 79.2 million head. This was up 2 percent from December 2013, and up 
slightly from December 2012. The breeding inventory, at 7.19 million head, 
was up 3 percent from a year ago and up 2 percent from 2012. Market hog 
inventory, at 72.0 million head, was up 2 percent from last year and up 
slightly from 2012. The semi-annual pig crop, at 72.5 million head, was up 1 
percent from 2013 but down 1 percent from 2012. Sows farrowing during this 
period totaled 7.03 million head, up 2 percent from last year but down 1 
percent from 2012.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2014 was 
66.1 million head. This was up 2 percent from December 1, 2013 and up 
1 percent from September 1, 2014. The breeding inventory, at 5.97 million 
head, was up 4 percent from last year and up 1 percent from the previous 
quarter. Market hog inventory, at 60.1 million head, was up 2 percent from 
last year, and up 1 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 29.4 million 
head, was up 4 percent from 2013 and up slightly from 2012. Sows farrowed 
during this period totaled 2.87 million head, up 3 percent from 2013 but down 
1 percent from 2012.  

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on January 1, 2015 was 13.2 million 
head. This was up 2 percent from January 1, 2014 and up 4 percent from 
January 1, 2013. The breeding inventory, at 1.22 million head, was up 
slightly from last year and up 1 percent from 2013. Market hog inventory, at 
11.9 million head, was up 2 percent from last year and up 5 percent from 
2013. The semi-annual pig crop, at 13.6 million head, was up 1 percent from 
2014 but down 4 percent from 2013. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 
1.26 million head, up 1 percent from last year but down 4 percent from 2013. 

Hogs and Pigs Inventory, Sows Farrowed, and Pig Crop - United States and Canada: 2009-2014 1/
[May not add due to rounding]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Item             :           :           :           :           :           :           :  2014 as  
                               :   2009    :   2010    :   2011    :   2012    :   2013    :   2014    :  percent  
                               :           :           :           :           :           :           :  of 2013  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               :  --------------------------- 1,000 head ---------------------------      percent  
                               :                                                                                   
June inventory 2/              :                                                                                   
 All hogs and pigs ............:  79,304      77,175      77,970      79,109      77,953      74,643         96    
  Kept for breeding ...........:   7,274       7,016       7,007       7,077       7,098       7,074        100    
  Market ......................:  72,031      70,159      70,963      72,032      70,855      67,570         95    
   Under 50 pounds ............:  23,813      23,574      24,048      24,343      23,796      22,909         96    
   50-119 pounds ..............:  20,649      19,636      19,645      20,345      19,463      18,263         94    
   120-179 pounds .............:  14,471      13,992      14,443      14,440      14,616      13,803         94    
   180 pounds and over ........:  13,098      12,959      12,826      12,904      12,981      12,593         97    
 Sows farrowed 3/ .............:   7,445       7,152       7,032       7,068       6,880       6,822         99    
 Pig crop 3/ ..................:  71,918      70,141      70,584      71,884      70,869      67,287         95    
                               :                                                                                   
December inventory 4/          :                                                                                   
 All hogs and pigs ............:  77,152      77,340      78,884      78,834      77,715      79,215        102    
  Kept for breeding ...........:   7,104       6,995       7,020       7,031       6,971       7,189        103    
  Market ......................:  70,048      70,345      71,864      71,803      70,744      72,027        102    
   Under 50 pounds ............:  23,071      23,404      24,074      23,928      23,067      23,733        103    
   50-119 pounds ..............:  19,649      19,011      19,017      19,103      18,494      19,075        103    
   120-179 pounds .............:  13,997      14,328      14,670      14,775      14,867      14,971        101    
   180 pounds and over ........:  13,332      13,603      14,103      13,998      14,316      14,248        100    
 Sows farrowed 5/ .............:   7,313       7,205       7,196       7,113       6,917       7,034        102    
 Pig crop 5/ ..................:  71,580      71,600      73,001      73,118      71,642      72,513        101    
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ United States Hogs and Pigs report published quarterly: March, June, September, and December.                   
2/ United States June 1 and Canadian July 1 inventory items.                                                       
3/ United States December through May and Canadian January through June totals.                                    
4/ United States December 1 and Canadian following year January 1 inventory items.                                 
5/ United States June through November and Canadian July through December totals.                                  

Hogs and Pigs Inventory, Sows Farrowed, and Pig Crop - United States: 2009-2014
[May not add due to rounding]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               :        :        :        :        :        :        :2014 as 
                               :        :        :        :        :        :        :percent 
              Item             :  2009  :  2010  :  2011  :  2012  :  2013  :  2014  :of 2013 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               : -------------------- 1,000 head -------------------  percent 
                               :                                                              
March 1 inventory              :                                                              
  All hogs and pigs ...........: 65,519   63,618   63,759   64,777   65,071   61,494     95   
    Kept for breeding 1/ ......:  5,992    5,760    5,788    5,820    5,834    5,851    100   
    Market ....................: 59,528   57,858   57,971   58,957   59,237   55,643     94   
     Under 50 pounds ..........: 19,709   18,667   18,668   18,935   18,853   17,336     92   
     50-119 pounds ............: 16,276   15,844   15,935   16,209   16,250   15,487     95   
     120-179 pounds ...........: 12,632   12,506   12,601   12,995   13,169   12,538     95   
     180 pounds and over ......: 10,912   10,842   10,767   10,818   10,965   10,281     94   
  Sows farrowed ...............:  2,985    2,846    2,807    2,813    2,788    2,763     99   
  Pig crop ....................: 28,302   27,345   27,516   28,037   28,099   26,326     94   
                               :                                                              
June 1 inventory               :                                                              
  All hogs and pigs ...........: 66,709   64,650   65,320   66,469   65,188   61,568     94   
    Kept for breeding 1/ ......:  5,968    5,788    5,803    5,862    5,884    5,855    100   
    Market ....................: 60,742   58,862   59,517   60,607   59,304   55,713     94   
     Under 50 pounds ..........: 19,514   19,224   19,423   19,746   19,145   18,254     95   
     50-119 pounds ............: 17,778   16,832   17,241   17,924   17,068   15,801     93   
     120-179 pounds ...........: 12,604   12,154   12,254   12,243   12,414   11,491     93   
     180 pounds and over ......: 10,847   10,653   10,599   10,694   10,678   10,166     95   
  Sows farrowed ...............:  2,997    2,898    2,887    2,945    2,806    2,810    100   
  Pig crop ....................: 28,809   28,425   28,954   29,712   28,921   27,495     95   
                               :                                                              
September 1 inventory          :                                                              
  All hogs and pigs ...........: 66,716   65,971   67,234   68,032   66,906   65,131     97   
    Kept for breeding 1/ ......:  5,875    5,770    5,806    5,788    5,816    5,920    102   
    Market ....................: 60,842   60,201   61,428   62,244   61,090   59,211     97   
     Under 50 pounds ..........: 19,758   19,613   19,761   19,880   19,824   19,517     98   
     50-119 pounds ............: 17,148   17,395   17,884   17,799   17,958   17,658     98   
     120-179 pounds ...........: 12,684   12,674   12,822   13,080   12,584   12,012     95   
     180 pounds and over ......: 11,253   10,520   10,961   11,485   10,725   10,023     93   
  Sows farrowed ...............:  2,959    2,944    2,927    2,921    2,890    2,906    101   
  Pig crop ....................: 28,717   28,870   29,355   29,587   29,862   29,534     99   
                               :                                                              
December 1 inventory           :                                                              
  All hogs and pigs ...........: 64,687   64,725   66,259   66,224   64,775   66,050    102   
    Kept for breeding 1/ ......:  5,850    5,778    5,803    5,819    5,757    5,969    104   
    Market ....................: 58,837   58,947   60,456   60,405   59,018   60,082    102   
     Under 50 pounds ..........: 18,705   18,864   19,447   19,299   18,389   19,026    103   
     50-119 pounds ............: 16,782   16,519   16,618   16,752   16,080   16,630    103   
     120-179 pounds ...........: 12,199   12,183   12,473   12,614   12,576   12,635    100   
     180 pounds and over ......: 11,152   11,381   11,918   11,741   11,972   11,791     98   
  Sows farrowed ...............:  2,915    2,881    2,919    2,888    2,780    2,871    103   
  Pig crop ....................: 28,260   28,488   29,261   29,319   28,253   29,373    104   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes boars.                                                                            

Hogs and Pigs Inventory, Sows Farrowed, and Pig Crop - Canada: 2010-2015
[May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               :           :           :           :           :           :           :  2015 as  
              Item             :   2010    :   2011    :   2012    :   2013    :   2014    :   2015    :  percent  
                               :           :           :           :           :           :           :  of 2014  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               :  --------------------------- 1,000 head ---------------------------      percent  
                               :                                                                                   
January 1 inventory            :                                                                                   
 All hogs and pigs ............:  12,465      12,615      12,625      12,610      12,940      13,165        102    
  Kept for breeding 1/ ........:   1,254       1,217       1,217       1,212       1,214       1,220        100    
  Market ......................:  11,211      11,398      11,408      11,398      11,726      11,945        102    
   Under 50 pounds ............:   4,366       4,540       4,627       4,629       4,678       4,707        101    
   50-119 pounds ..............:   2,867       2,492       2,399       2,351       2,414       2,445        101    
   120-179 pounds .............:   1,798       2,145       2,197       2,161       2,291       2,336        102    
   180 pounds and over ........:   2,180       2,222       2,185       2,257       2,344       2,457        105    
 Sows farrowed ................:   1,439       1,381       1,350       1,303       1,247       1,257        101    
 Pig crop .....................:  14,603      14,242      14,385      14,212      13,527      13,606        101    
                               :                                                                                   
July 1 inventory               :                                                                                   
 All hogs and pigs ............:  12,525      12,650      12,640      12,765      13,075                           
  Kept for breeding 1/ ........:   1,228       1,204       1,215       1,214       1,219                           
  Market ......................:  11,297      11,446      11,425      11,551      11,857                           
   Under 50 pounds ............:   4,350       4,625       4,597       4,651       4,655                           
   50-119 pounds ..............:   2,804       2,404       2,421       2,395       2,462                           
   120-179 pounds .............:   1,838       2,189       2,197       2,202       2,312                           
   180 pounds and over ........:   2,306       2,227       2,210       2,303       2,427                           
 Sows farrowed ................:   1,408       1,338       1,309       1,285       1,249                           
 Pig crop .....................:  14,371      14,115      14,135      13,849      13,466                           
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes boars.                                                                                                 

This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS 
to release the total hogs, breeding, market hogs, sows farrowed, and pig crop 
for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by 
the United States hog industry to provide producers additional information 
about potential hog supplies. United States inventory numbers were previously 
released on December 23, 2014.

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock 
Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to 
contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent 
to [email protected].

Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570

Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424
   Travis Averill - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ...... (202) 720-3040
   Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 720-3240
   Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs .................. (202) 720-3106
   Donnie Fike - Dairy Products ................. (202) 690-3236
   Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278
   Evan Schulz - Sheep and Goats ................ (202) 720-6147

Access to NASS Reports

For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following 
ways:

 	All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web 
site: http://www.nass.usda.gov

 	Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-
mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit 
http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Follow NASS" box under "Receive 
reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports 
you would like to receive. 

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural 
Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: 
[email protected]. 
  
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against 
its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, 
color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, 
reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial 
or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's 
income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic 
information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded 
by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs 
and/or employment activities.) 
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, 
complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online 
at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA 
office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a 
letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your 
completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at 
[email protected].

Cost-Conscious Ways to Ship Packages

By
Editor
-
0
Photo courtesy of Getty Images

(Family Features) Whether you’re shipping a birthday gift to a beloved niece or returning a defective item to a manufacturer, you want to know that your package arrives on time and in good condition; however, changes to pricing and policies can make it hard to know which shipping service to use.

 

“You can ease frustration and make the process more convenient by choosing a shipping provider that offers a spectrum of reliable shipping options,” suggests John Budzynski, U.S. Postal Service® consumer advocate and manager of customer relations. “That way, you have the freedom of selecting the price and service level that is best for your unique shipping needs.”

 

When preparing your package and determining which service you’ll use, Budzynski recommends keeping these tips in mind:

 

  1. Understand how shipping rates are calculated differently among major carriers. Some of the major carriers introduced a pricing system that determines pricing based on dimensional weight (DIM), charging for a package’s overall density (both the cubic space a package occupies relative to its weight). In the past, most packages smaller than three cubic feet were charged by weight only. Customers will now be responsible for the greater of the actual weight or DIM weight, so in many cases prices will be higher. Choosing a shipper with a variety of cost-saving solutions is one way to overcome these cost increases.

 

“The U.S. Postal Service is changing and improving in a number of ways, and we want consumers to be fully informed about our services and how they compare to others. We offer several pricing options that can provide great savings, such as ounce-based pricing or weight and zone pricing,” Budzynski said. “We’re here to help clear up any confusion and ensure you are empowered to make the best shipping decision for your needs.”

 

Visit www.usps.com or speak with your local postal service representative to learn more about how the Postal Service is advancing numerous product and service innovations to better serve the public.

 

  1. Protect the contents of your package. Select a box strong and large enough to accommodate cushioning. Use tissue, ink-free packing paper, foam or bubble wrap for delicate items. Close and shake the box. If it rattles, add additional padding to keep items from shifting. Tape the opening of the box and reinforce all seams with 2-inch wide clear or brown packaging tape.

 

Place a card inside the package with the delivery and return addresses to ensure the safe return of an item that could not be delivered if the mailing label becomes damaged or falls off.

 

  1. Evaluate specialty services, such as insurance and tracking. Some carriers automatically insure your package up to a designated amount. Be sure you know the limitations and exclusions, and purchase additional coverage if needed to protect yourself in case of damage or loss.

 

In addition, there are numerous ways, at a range of price points, to keep track of your package while it is en route. Various tracking options are available to let you monitor a package’s progress from pickup to delivery; factors such as speed and the type of confirmation you want will influence the cost.

 

With such a wide range of options available, you are sure to find a fit for your specific shipping needs. Taking time to understand the various carriers and fees for specialty services will help minimize your expenses while getting your package safely to its destination.

Source: U.S. Postal Service

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