February 5, 2025

US cattle, calf numbers fell by 1% year-on-year on January 1, 2025

All cattle and calves in the United States on January 1, 2025, totaled 86.7 million head, down about 1% from 87.2 million in 2024, according to the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) January Cattle Inventory report.

The inventory, along with nearly all other estimates in the report, fell within the range of analyst estimates. The decrease, while smaller than last year, indicates continued contraction in the US cattle herd.

Beef cows that have calved totaled 27.9 million, down 1% from 2024 and a new record low (since 1965). Heifers for beef cow replacement were 4.67 million, down 1% from 2024.

Heifers for beef cow replacement expected to calve were 2.92 million, down by about 2%. Lower numbers for both beef cows that have calved and beef cows expected to calve provide additional evidence of continued herd contraction.

The number of calves in 2024 was estimated at 33.5 million calves, unchanged from 2023.

- Farm Bureau