Smallest cattle Herd in 50 years

WICHITA, Kan — As the nations drought continues the National Agricultural Statistics Service says the cattle population has shrunk to its smallest size in 50 years.

Ranchers in Texas and Oklahoma made the most drastic cuts to their herds as the drought withered crops driving hay prices to record levels. Friday the agency released its national cattle count, revealing only 90.8 million adults and calves as of January 1st. That's 2 percent below last year. The last time the count was this low was back in 1952, when the nation had 88.1 million head of cattle.