The most recent NASS Cattle Report said U.S. farms contained 98.8 million head of cattle and calves as of July 1st.  Of the 98.8 million head of inventory, all cows and heifers that have calved total 39.8 million.  There were 30.4 million beef cows in the U.S. as of July 1st, 2% lower than 2021.

Meanwhile, the number of U.S. milk cows dropped to 94.5 million. The U.S. calf crop was estimated at 34.6 million head, 1% lower than in 2021.  The number of U.S. Cattle on Feed is slightly higher than last year.

The cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million on July 1st. That inventory level was slightly higher than July of last year.  The inventory included 6.9 million steers and steer calves, down one percent from last year.

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