US Cattle Inventory 2025 Estimate
The US cattle herd size likely declined again in 2024 which is the sixth consecutive drop since the cattle cycle peaked in 2019. Exceptionally favorable feeder cattle prices have caused ranchers to begin the turn in the inventory cycle by sending fewer cows and heifers to slaughter. Recent US cattle inventory cycles have required between three and six years after a trouth for the next peak in the cattle population to occur. In the early part of the expansion beef supplies tighten as ranchers continue to hold heifers for breeding.
USDA has scheduled release of the 2025 Cattle report for January 31, 2025.
| US Cattle Inventory Calculation (Thousand Head) | ||||
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Percent | |
| Beg Inventory | 92,077 | 88,841 | 87,157 | |
| Calf Crop | 34,440 | 33,593 | 32,900 | -2% |
| Net Imports | 409 | 587 | 693 | 18% |
| Slaughter | ||||
| Steers | 15,810 | 15,078 | 15,266 | 1% |
| Heifers | 10,292 | 10,033 | 9,923 | -1% |
| Cows | 6,998 | 6,592 | 5,582 | -15% |
| Bulls | 564 | 532 | 462 | -13% |
| Calves | 358 | 285 | 207 | -27% |
| FIS | 34,021 | 32,519 | 31,440 | -3% |
| Commercial | ||||
| Cattle | 34,321 | 32,978 | 31,820 | -4% |
| Calves | 369 | 293 | 213 | -27% |
| Total | 34,689 | 33,271 | 32,033 | -4% |
| Residual | 3,395 | 2,593 | 2750 | |
| End Inventory | 88,841 | 87,157 | 85,967 | -1% |
| 2024 based on USDA Data available in Mid January 2025 | ||||
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