Beef Cow Numbers and Calf Crop Continue to Decline, Replacement Heifers Up

Aug 12, 2026

By Tim Petry

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the semiannual July 1 Cattle Inventory report on July 24. The current and past reports are available online at https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/h702q636h.

The July Cattle Inventory report is important because it gives a midyear indication of possible changes in cattle numbers, beef production and potential market price impact. The July report, which provides only total U.S. cattle inventory numbers, is less detailed than the January report, which provides a more detailed state-by-state breakdown, allowing regional comparisons and weather-related changes to be documented.

NASS pegged the July 1 U.S. beef cow herd at 28.45 million head, down 200,000 head from the 28.65 million last year. The eight straight years of July 1 beef cow liquidation resulted in the smallest inventory in the series since records began in 1973. That decline signals a continuation of short cattle supplies for at least another year.

July 1 Beef Cow Inventory — U.S., Annual
Source: USDA NASS

The July 1 beef cow estimate is usually higher than the previous Jan. 1 estimate with the addition of first calf heifers calving, but this year’s 3% increase from 27.6 million to 28.45 million has historically indicated expansion. Improved moisture conditions in several important beef cattle-producing regions, record-high cattle prices and a 16% decrease in beef cow slaughter may have contributed to interest in beef herd rebuilding.

Source : ndsu.edu

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