| 2008 Alabama Beef Cattle Facts |
| *Click to view State and County Rankings for Cattle Numbers* |
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| Beef cattle production ranks second behind broilers in cash receipts among Alabama farm commodities. Alabama cattle producers sold over $400 million worth of cattle and calves last year. Cattle are produced in every county and cattle production represents a $3 billion industry in Alabama. The state’s climate and land is ideally suited for raising cattle. |
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Cattle Numbers Decrease; Alabama Still Needs More Cows |
| According to figures released by the Alabama Agricultural Statistics Service, on January 1 Alabama producers had 1,250,000 head of cattle and calves on Alabama farms. This is an decrease of 70,000 head over last year which also saw a large number of cattle go to market because of extreme drought conditions. |
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As of January 1, there were 677,000 beef cows that have calved, a decrease of 40,000 head from earlier year figures. The state ranks 17th among all states in beef cow numbers. |
| Nationally, 2007 was another year of near record beef production although the number of cattle is 25% lower than 25 years ago. Carcass weights have increased steadily from 550 pounds to over 825 pounds, resulting in much more beef per head. Not only are the cattle bigger but these larger cattle are producing beef that is much leaner. This is a result of improved genetics and better management. |
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Value of Cattle Inventory and Hay Crops |
| The total value of cattle on Alabama farms as of January 1, 2007 exceeded $1 billion for the first time in history, standing at $1,003,200,000. The value per head was a $760, which is a decrease of $60 per head from last year. |
| Alabama produces a lot of hay each year. In 2006, hay was harvested from 720,000 acres and the total value of the hay crop was $99.36 million. Cullman leads the state with 30,600 acres in hay production followed by Jackson with 26,600 and Lauderdale with 26,000. |
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Beef Still in Demand |
| Beef demand has risen 25% since 1999, resulting in strong feeder calf prices for our producers. The value added, convenient beef products, which can be prepared in the microwave in seven minutes, have contributed to the increase in consumer demand. Producer checkoff dollars stimulated the development of, and helped publicize these new beef products. |
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17th in Number of Beef Cattle Farms |
| Alabama ranks 17th in the U.S. among all states in the number of farms with beef cows during 2006. USDA figures show there are 23,000 farms in the state with one or more head of beef cows that have calved. This is the same as reported last year. |
| Alabama cattle producers primarily are cow-calf producers with feeder calves shipped to feedlots for finishing. A statewide network of 24 stockyards, the fewest in history, provides easy and ready markets for Alabama cattlemen. |
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Forage is Number One Resource |
| Producers have the climate needed to excel in forage production. Rainfall averages exceeding 55 inches and a mild climate, ensures nearly year round grazing. The wide variety of perennial forages coupled with cool season grasses and clovers offer cattlemen the opportunity to wean heavy calves and also to carry these calves past weaning in a stocker program. |
| Cash Receipts Over the $400 Million Mark |
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Cash receipts from the sale of cattle and calves reached $402.6 million in 2006, a $6 million decrease from last year. Cattle and calves rank second only to the vertically integrated broiler industry in cash receipts among all agriculture commodities. |
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Cullman County Continues to Lead |
| Cullman County continues to be the largest cattle county in the state with 68,500 head of cattle, a 5,000 head decrease from last year. Following in second place is DeKalb County with 60,000 head of cattle. Montgomery is third with 52,000 head, Marshall is fourth with 41,100 head and Lowndes is fifth with 38,000 head. |
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Alabama has Top Purebred Producers |
| Alabama has some of the top purebred herds in the country. These outstanding seedstock producers supply a large selection of outstanding bulls annually. All of the major breeds are represented including Angus, Beefmaster, Brangus, Charolais, ChiAngus, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Red Angus, Santa Gertrudis, Senepol and Simmental. |
| ACA Membership at 11,805 |
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The Alabama Cattlemen's Association ended 2007 with 11,805 members. Pike County led the county chapters with 533 members followed by Cullman with 477 and DeKalb with 410 members. The ACA serves as eyes, ears, and voice for the state’s two plus billion-dollar cattle industry. |
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The ACA also handles the state’s beef checkoff programs, Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation and publishes the Alabama Cattleman, a monthly magazine for the state’s cattle industry. |
| Mooseum in Headquarters on Capitol Hill |
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The organization is headquartered in a beautiful building located on Capital Hill in downtown Montgomery. The two million-dollar facility includes a one-of-its-kind MOOseum, which tells the story of the beef cattle industry in the state. |
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In addition, the building has a much in demand meeting room. The ACA, Alabama CattleWomen’s Association, Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association, Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation and Southeastern Livestock Exposition are headquartered in the Cattlemen’s Building. |
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The children’s educational center and livestock history MOOseum is open for tours on the first floor of the Cattlemen's building. The MOOseum serves to teach thousands of school children about the cattle industry each year. Over 10,000 youngsters tour The MOOseum annually. |
