The U.S. beef cattle herd size as of January 1, 2024, was approximately 28.2 million head, marking the smallest beef herd since 1961[1][2][3][4]. This figure represents a 2% to 2.5% decline from the previous year and a 10.9% decrease from the recent peak in 2019. The overall inventory of all cattle and calves in the U.S. on that date was about 87.2 million head, the smallest total inventory since 1951[1][2].
Key details about the herd and related production include:
- The calf crop for 2023 was about 33.6 million head, down 2% from the previous year and the smallest since 2014[1][2].
- The inventory of beef replacement heifers (young female cattle kept for breeding) was around 4.86 million head on Jan. 1, 2024, also at historic lows[2].
- The decline in herd size in recent years has been largely driven by drought conditions, high input costs, and increased marketing of female cattle rather than retaining them for breeding, which reduces herd rebuilding potential[1][2][3].
- Despite a smaller herd, beef production remains strong due to record-high average dressed weights of cattle, which have helped offset some production losses from fewer animals[1].
- Projections for 2024 beef production were about 26.1 billion pounds—around 3% below 2023 levels but still significant compared to historical production[1][2].
Looking ahead:
- The herd was at about 27.86 million beef cows in early 2025, still near historic lows but showing signs that contraction may be slowing[3][5].
- Industry analysts estimate that a moderate increase of around 2.5 million beef cows could support stable per capita beef supplies into the next few years without returning to the larger peak herd of 2019[3].
In summary, the U.S. beef herd is currently at a multi-decade low around 28 million head, having declined steadily since 2019 due to economic and environmental pressures, though production remains high because cattle weights have increased[1][2][3]. Herd rebuilding efforts appear to be starting cautiously in 2025[5].
⁂
- https://www.fb.org/market-intel/u-s-cattle-inventory-smallest-in-73-years
- https://www.drovers.com/news/beef-production/us-cattle-inventory-reaches-73-year-low
- https://www.terrainag.com/insights/how-many-beef-cows-does-the-u-s-industry-need/
- https://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/livestock/beef-cattle/canada-u-s-cattle-inventories-further-decline/
- https://www.grainews.ca/cattlemans-corner/u-s-cattle-herd-contraction-coming-to-an-end/
No comments:
Post a Comment