Feb. 24, 2026:
Cattle on feed on February 1, 2026, and placements in feedlots declined year-over-year. That’s according to the recent Cattle on Feed Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
About 11.5 million head of cattle and calves were on feed at the beginning of the month, which the USDA said is down two percent on an annual basis.
Placements last month totaled 1.74 million head, down five percent from the same month a year ago.
The highest marketing level came in the 700–799-pound class, totaling 455,000 head. Under 600 pounds totaled 360,000 head, while 600-699 pounds totaled 365,000 head.
Cattle placements between 800-899 pounds totaled 381,000 head. Placements included about 105,000 head weighing 900-999 pounds, and 70,000 head weighing 1,000 pounds or higher.
The agency also said marketings of fed cattle in January plunged 13 percent on an annual basis, and other disappearance fell by eight percent to 55,000 head.
The Cattle report and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications.
USDA NASS infographic.
Jan. 31, 2026:
There were 86.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Cattle report published Jan. 31, 2026, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Other key findings in the report were:
- Of the 86.2 million head inventory, all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.2 million.
- There are 27.6 million beef cows in the United States as of Jan. 1, 2026, down 1% from last year.
- The number of milk cows in the United States increased to 9.57 million.
- U.S. calf crop was estimated at 32.9 million head, down 2% from previous year.
- All cattle on feed were at 13.8 million head, down 3% from 2025.
To obtain an accurate measurement of the current state of the U.S. cattle industry, NASS surveyed approximately 35,000 operators across the nation during the first half of January. Surveyed producers were asked to report their cattle inventories as of Jan. 1, 2026, and calf crop for the entire year of 2025 by internet, mail, telephone, or in-person interview.
The Cattle report and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications.
USDA NASS infographic.
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