By Julie Tomascik
Editor

The aftermath of last year’s widespread drought continues to impact the U.S. cattle herd.

As of July 1, there were 95.9 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms and ranches, according to the latest cattle inventory report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

That total is down 3% from the 98.6 million head on July 1, 2022, but up from the 89.3 million head recorded as of Jan. 1 this year.

“These numbers show that ranchers haven’t committed to rebuilding their herds just yet, and that’s understandable. Drought conditions are creeping back in across Texas and many other states, with some areas never really getting out of drought,” Tracy Tomascik, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, said.

July cattle herd down 3%, cattle on feed down 2% There were 95.9 million head of cattle and calves in the U.S. as of July 1, according to USDA’s latest cattle report.

U.S. cattle numbers
Despite slight bumps in 2013 and 2018, the nation’s cattle herd has dropped significantly from the 110 million head recorded in 1998.

The latest decline comes after drought severely depleted U.S. hay supplies.

USDA’s cattle inventory report showed all cows and heifers that have calved down 2% to 38.8 million head.

Beef cows, at 29.4 million head, were down 3% from a year ago.

Milk cows, at 9.40 million head, were unchanged from the previous year.

All heifers 500 pounds and over as of July 1 totaled 15 million head, 4% below the 15.6 million head last year. Beef replacement heifers, at 4.05 million head, were down 2% from a year ago.

Milk replacement heifers totaled 3.65 million head. That is down 3% from the previous year. Other heifers were down 5%, totaling 7.3 million head.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 13.9 million head, down 3%.

Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over were down 5%, totaling 1.9 million head.

U.S. calf crop
The 2023 calf crop in the U.S. is estimated to be 33.8 million head. That is down 2% from the previous year’s calf crop. Calves born during the first half of 2023 at estimated at 24.8 million head, down 2% from the first half of 2022.

An additional 9 million calves are expected to be born during the second half of 2023.

Cattle on feed
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for all feedlots totaled 13.1 million head. The inventory is down 2% from last year.

Cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 85.5% of the total cattle on feed, up slightly from the previous year.

The combined total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds (outside of feedlots) at 34.4 million head was 4% below last year’s 35.7 million head.

Texas fed cattle numbers
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Texas 2.72 million head. The inventory is down 5% from a year ago.

Totals are also down in the High Plains, which accounts for 89% of total inventory in the Lone Star State. USDA’s report shows totals for the area are down 5% from last year and 19% from May.

More information
The full cattle inventory report can be found here.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service surveyed roughly 15,600 cattle raisers across the country in the first half of July. Cattle raisers and feedlot operators were asked to report inventories as of the first of the month and calf crop for the entire year.