Northwest Cattle Numbers Mixed As Herd Continues To Contract

As of January 1st, there were 86.2 million head of cattle and calves on farms nationwide, which continues a multi-year decrease. USDA noted this is the smallest herd size in 85 years.

Here in the Northwest, Oregon’s cattle and calves numbers decreased slightly from 2025 to 2026, while Idaho and Washington’s numbers were unchanged.

NASS added of that over 86 million head nationwide, all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.2 million.  On January 1st there were 27.6 million beef cows nationwide, down 1% year over year.

USDA added the country’s calf crop was estimated at 32.9 million head, down 2% from 2025’s numbers.  All cattle on feed were at 13.8 million head, down 3% from 2025. 

One of the few numbers on the move up is the number of milk cows in the United States, which increased to 9.57 million. 

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