U.S. Cattle Populations Hit Record Low - USDA Reports

Feb 02, 2024

By: Farms.com

The cattle industry faced a pivotal moment at CattleCon 2024, where the USDA Cattle Inventory Report was a hot topic. This latest report, the most comprehensive of the year, revealed that the U.S. cattle total has plummeted to a historic low not seen since 1951.

With detailed state-by-state analysis, the report showed significant reductions in the top beef cow states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

The decrease in beef replacement heifers by 1.4% and beef cow numbers by 2.5% from the previous year signals a challenging period ahead for the industry.

This contraction highlights a concerning trend of shrinking cattle herds, with no immediate prospects for growth. Industry experts, like Dr. Derrell Peel, acknowledge the slow and arduous path to rebuilding the cattle population.

This significant reduction in cattle inventory could have widespread implications for the beef industry and agricultural markets. The report serves as a crucial indicator for farmers, ranchers, and industry analysts, shedding light on the current state and prospects of cattle farming in the U.S.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.