This is the smallest July US cattle inventory since records began in 1973.

The report also indicated that beef supplies will remain tight, with some analysts expecting it to stay that way into 2011, as the 2009 calf crop fell 1.4pc, to 35.6 million head (pre-report estimates were expecting only a 1.2pc decline).

Despite significantly lower beef cow slaughter numbers so far this year, US beef cow herd figures as at July 1 indicated that liquidation is continuing, with the herd declining by 450,000 head as at July 1, to 32.3 million head.

Dry conditions over the past year, particularly within the Texan region, has contributed to the continued decline in the US beef cow herd, alongside higher input costs and softer beef demand this year, causing losses for cattle backgrounders as feeder cattle prices have declined.

The number of heifers for beef cow replacement was down a further 2pc on July 2008, to 4.5 million head.

In order for the decline in the US beef cow herd to cease, beef cow slaughter will need to significantly decrease.

Recently, pasture conditions across some regions within the US have improved and feed costs have dropped which could see beef cow slaughter fall even further as these factors provide incentive for US producers to retain their breeding herd.

The number of heifers for dairy cow replacement remained unchanged at 3.9 million head, despite significant losses within the dairy industry.

Dairy cow herd numbers though did drop 2pc, to 9.2 million head, with liquidation expected to continue for the rest of 2009, with another dairy herd retirement round set to occur over the next couple of months.