USDA Reports

As America’s beef cow herd hits a 75-year low, dairy farmers are stepping in with beef-on-dairy calves to help fill feedlots and keep the beef supply moving.

With native cattle numbers still under pressure, beef-on-dairy crossbreds are providing the industry with a critical supply of cattle.

USDA’s annual Cattle Inventory Report released Friday shows the U.S. total cattle inventory shrunk another 1% over the past year, with the number of beef cows also down 1%.

Last year’s USDA Cattle Inventory Report showed the smallest cattle herd since 1951. With strong heifer prices and no strong signs of rebuilding underway, the Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows supplies may come in even lower than last year.

Oklahoma State’s Derrell Peel points out with the U.S. beef cow herd the smallest since 1961 and the all cattle inventory the lowest since 1951, it’s setting the cattle market up for higher highs.