USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service this week released the Cattle report showing a two percent decline in U.S. cattle inventory.
The report shows 87.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of January 1, 2024. Of the 87.2 million head inventory, all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.6 million. There are 28.2 million beef cows in the United States, down two percent from last year. The number of milk cows in the United States decreased slightly to 9.36 million.
The U.S. calf crop was estimated at 33.6 million head, down two percent from 2022. All cattle on feed were at 14.4 million head, up two percent from 2023. To obtain an accurate measurement of the current state of the U.S. cattle industry, NASS surveyed approximately 36,300 operators across the nation during the first half of January.
Surveyed producers were asked to report their cattle inventories as of January 1, 2024, and calf crop for the entire year of 2023.
-NAFB