Cattle - Publication

Cattle
ISSN: 1948-9099

Released January 31, 2023, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA).

January 1 Cattle Inventory Down 3 Percent
All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2023 totaled 89.3 million head, 3 percent below the
92.1 million head on January 1, 2022.
All cows and heifers that have calved, at 38.3 million head, were 3 percent below the 39.4 million head on
January 1, 2022. Beef cows, at 28.9 million head, were down 4 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.40 million head,
were up slightly from the previous year.
All heifers 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2023 totaled 19.2 million head, 4 percent below the 19.9 million head
on January 1, 2022. Beef replacement heifers, at 5.16 million head, were down 6 percent from a year ago. Milk
replacement heifers, at 4.34 million head, were down 2 percent from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.67 million head,
were 3 percent below a year earlier.
Steers weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2023 totaled 16.1 million head, down 3 percent from
January 1, 2022.
Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2023 totaled 2.03 million head, down 4 percent from
January 1, 2022.
Calves under 500 pounds as of January 1, 2023 totaled 13.6 million head, down 3 percent from January 1, 2022.
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 14.2 million head on
January 1, 2023. The inventory is down 4 percent from the January 1, 2022 total of 14.7 million head. Cattle on feed in
feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 82.5 percent of the total cattle on feed on January 1, 2023, up
1 percent from the previous year. The combined total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over
500 pounds (outside of feedlots) at 25.3 million head, was 3 percent below January 1, 2022.

Calf Crop Down 2 Percent
The 2022 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 34.5 million head, down 2 percent from the previous year's calf
crop. Calves born during the first half of 2022 were estimated at 25.3 million head, down 2 percent from the first half of
2021. Calves born during the second half of 2022 were estimated at 9.16 million head, 27 percent of the total 2022 calf
crop.

Revisions
All inventory and calf crop estimates for July 1, 2021, January 1, 2022, and July 1, 2022 were reviewed using calf crop,
official slaughter, import and export data, and the relationship of new survey information to the prior surveys. Based on
the findings of this review, January 1, 2022 all cattle and calves increased by 0.2 percent and 2021 calf crop increased by
0.2 percent. July 1, 2022 all cattle and calves decreased by 0.2 percent and 2022 calf crop decreased by 0.4 percent.
State level estimates were reviewed and changes were made to reallocate inventory estimates to the United States total.

This report was approved on January 31, 2023.

Secretary of Agriculture
Designate
Seth Meyer

2

Agricultural Statistics Board
Chairperson
Joseph L. Parsons

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents
Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023 ............................................................ 4
All Cattle and Calves Inventory – United States: January 1 ................................................................................................... 4
Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023 .................................................................. 5
Calf Crop – States and United States: 2021 and 2022 ............................................................................................................ 9
All Cattle on Feed Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023 ........................................................... 10
Cattle Grazing on Small Grain Pasture – 3-State Total: January 1, 2022 and 2023 ............................................................. 11
Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: July 1, 2021 and 2022................................................................ 11
Calf Crop by Six Month Period – United States: 2021 and 2022 ......................................................................................... 11
Statistical Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
Reliability of January 1 Cattle Estimates .............................................................................................................................. 13
Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023
Class

2022

Percent of
previous year

2023

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

All cattle and calves ..............................................................................

92,076.6

89,274.1

97

All cows and heifers that have calved ....................................................
Beef cows .........................................................................................
Milk cows ..........................................................................................

39,360.1
29,983.1
9,377.0

38,320.4
28,917.9
9,402.5

97
96
100

All heifers 500 pounds and over ............................................................
For beef cow replacement .................................................................
Expected to calve 1 ........................................................................
For milk cow replacement .................................................................
Expected to calve 1 ........................................................................
Other heifers .....................................................................................

19,916.0
5,481.5
3,339.5
4,440.6
2,826.2
9,993.9

19,172.5
5,163.7
3,168.7
4,337.2
2,769.4
9,671.6

96
94
95
98
98
97

Steers 500 pounds and over .................................................................
Bulls 500 pounds and over ....................................................................
Calves under 500 pounds .....................................................................

16,704.7
2,109.6
13,986.2

16,131.6
2,029.0
13,620.6

97
96
97

All cattle on feed ...................................................................................

14,694.6

14,157.3

96

2021
Calf crop ...............................................................................................
1

Percent of
previous year

2022
35,165.9

34,464.5

98

Replacement heifers expected to calve during the year.

All Cattle and Calves Inventory – United States: January 1
Million head
100

95

90

85
1998

4

2003

2008

2013

2018

2023

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023
All cattle and calves
State

All cows and heifers that have calved

2022

2023

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

2022

2023

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Alabama ................
Alaska ...................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ...............
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ...........
Delaware ...............
Florida ...................
Georgia .................

1,260.0
18.0
960.0
1,700.0
5,200.0
2,650.0
47.0
12.0
1,630.0
1,050.0

1,250.0
18.0
960.0
1,630.0
5,200.0
2,620.0
46.0
10.2
1,620.0
1,030.0

99
100
100
96
100
99
98
85
99
98

675.0
8.0
365.0
910.0
2,400.0
840.0
23.0
4.5
1,000.0
570.0

680.0
8.0
370.0
870.0
2,390.0
845.0
23.0
3.8
980.0
570.0

101
100
101
96
100
101
100
84
98
100

Hawaii ...................
Idaho .....................
Illinois ....................
Indiana ..................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ..................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine ....................
Maryland ................

144.0
2,550.0
1,000.0
810.0
3,860.0
6,500.0
2,030.0
775.0
74.0
165.0

150.0
2,500.0
1,000.0
790.0
3,650.0
6,250.0
1,930.0
750.0
75.0
157.0

104
98
100
98
95
96
95
97
101
95

80.0
1,150.0
420.0
370.0
1,130.0
1,590.0
1,010.0
460.0
36.0
83.0

83.0
1,110.0
420.0
360.0
1,100.0
1,490.0
940.0
445.0
36.0
80.0

104
97
100
97
97
94
93
97
100
96

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana ................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

38.0
1,120.0
2,210.0
910.0
4,090.0
2,210.0
6,800.0
445.0
31.0
24.0

33.0
1,100.0
2,180.0
860.0
4,110.0
2,160.0
6,500.0
430.0
31.0
25.0

87
98
99
95
100
98
96
97
100
104

17.5
530.0
820.0
485.0
2,010.0
1,310.0
1,860.0
275.0
14.5
12.0

16.5
530.0
815.0
455.0
2,010.0
1,280.0
1,760.0
265.0
14.5
13.0

94
100
99
94
100
98
95
96
100
108

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina .......
North Dakota .........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ..................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island .........
South Carolina .......

1,310.0
1,420.0
780.0
1,870.0
1,320.0
5,200.0
1,250.0
1,340.0
3.6
310.0

1,310.0
1,430.0
740.0
1,750.0
1,250.0
4,600.0
1,240.0
1,370.0
3.9
315.0

100
101
95
94
95
88
99
102
108
102

745.0
720.0
400.0
950.0
560.0
2,160.0
630.0
660.0
1.6
167.0

725.0
730.0
380.0
890.0
540.0
2,020.0
630.0
660.0
1.6
168.0

97
101
95
94
96
94
100
100
100
101

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas ....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ..................
Washington ...........
West Virginia .........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ...............

3,800.0
1,760.0
12,700.0
790.0
250.0
1,390.0
1,140.0
370.0
3,500.0
1,260.0

3,550.0
1,680.0
12,500.0
740.0
245.0
1,300.0
1,170.0
375.0
3,400.0
1,240.0

93
95
98
94
98
94
103
101
97
98

1,770.0
920.0
5,050.0
425.0
135.0
670.0
485.0
193.0
1,570.0
690.0

1,720.0
870.0
4,950.0
410.0
132.0
630.0
475.0
196.0
1,550.0
680.0

97
95
98
96
98
94
98
102
99
99

United States .........

92,076.6

89,274.1

97

39,360.1

38,320.4

97
--continued

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

5

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023 (continued)
Beef cows that have calved
State

2022

2023

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Milk cows that have calved
Percent of
previous year

2022

2023

Percent of
previous year

(percent)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Alabama ................
Alaska ....................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ................
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ............
Delaware ...............
Florida ....................
Georgia ..................

672.0
7.8
171.0
905.0
680.0
638.0
4.5
1.7
895.0
487.0

678.0
7.8
175.0
866.0
665.0
642.0
4.5
1.2
888.0
478.0

101
100
102
96
98
101
100
71
99
98

3.0
0.2
194.0
5.0
1,720.0
202.0
18.5
2.8
105.0
83.0

2.0
0.2
195.0
4.0
1,725.0
203.0
18.5
2.6
92.0
92.0

67
100
101
80
100
100
100
93
88
111

Hawaii ....................
Idaho ......................
Illinois .....................
Indiana ...................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ...................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine .....................
Maryland ................

79.2
498.0
339.0
184.0
905.0
1,421.0
966.0
451.0
10.0
42.0

82.4
449.0
341.0
173.0
860.0
1,315.0
895.0
437.0
11.0
40.0

104
90
101
94
95
93
93
97
110
95

0.8
652.0
81.0
186.0
225.0
169.0
44.0
9.0
26.0
41.0

0.6
661.0
79.0
187.0
240.0
175.0
45.0
8.0
25.0
40.0

75
101
98
101
107
104
102
89
96
98

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana .................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

8.0
96.0
360.0
478.0
1,941.0
1,299.0
1,802.0
244.0
4.0
7.8

7.5
98.0
360.0
449.0
1,945.0
1,270.0
1,703.0
232.0
4.5
8.9

94
102
100
94
100
98
95
95
113
114

9.5
434.0
460.0
7.0
69.0
11.0
58.0
31.0
10.5
4.2

9.0
432.0
455.0
6.0
65.0
10.0
57.0
33.0
10.0
4.1

95
100
99
86
94
91
98
106
95
98

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina ........
North Dakota ..........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ...................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island ..........
South Carolina .......

453.0
100.0
361.0
935.0
312.0
2,121.0
505.0
190.0
1.1
158.0

446.0
100.0
341.0
876.0
290.0
1,981.0
507.0
195.0
1.1
159.0

98
100
94
94
93
93
100
103
100
101

292.0
620.0
39.0
15.0
248.0
39.0
125.0
470.0
0.5
9.0

279.0
630.0
39.0
14.0
250.0
39.0
123.0
465.0
0.5
9.0

96
102
100
93
101
100
98
99
100
100

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas .....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ...................
Washington ............
West Virginia ..........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ................

1,600.0
893.0
4,425.0
330.0
15.0
599.0
224.0
188.0
295.0
681.0

1,533.0
844.0
4,300.0
318.0
14.0
563.0
221.0
191.0
280.0
671.0

96
95
97
96
93
94
99
102
95
99

170.0
27.0
625.0
95.0
120.0
71.0
261.0
5.0
1,275.0
9.0

187.0
26.0
650.0
92.0
118.0
67.0
254.0
5.0
1,270.0
9.0

110
96
104
97
98
94
97
100
100
100

United States .........

29,983.1

28,917.9

96

9,377.0

9,402.5

100
--continued

6

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023 (continued)
All heifers 500 pounds and over
State

Beef cow replacement
2022

Milk cow replacement

2023

(1,000 head)

2022

(1,000 head)

Other

2023

(1,000 head)

2022

(1,000 head)

2023

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Alabama ................
Alaska ...................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ...............
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ...........
Delaware ...............
Florida ...................
Georgia .................

108.0
1.5
25.0
135.0
115.0
135.0
2.0
0.6
125.0
100.0

107.0
1.4
26.0
118.0
115.0
135.0
2.0
0.2
125.0
90.0

2.0
0.1
120.0
3.0
760.0
115.0
9.5
1.2
30.0
25.0

2.0
0.1
125.0
3.0
730.0
115.0
9.5
0.9
30.0
20.0

50.0
0.4
25.0
72.0
225.0
590.0
1.5
0.3
25.0
25.0

46.0
0.5
24.0
74.0
225.0
585.0
1.0
0.4
20.0
28.0

Hawaii ...................
Idaho .....................
Illinois ....................
Indiana ..................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ..................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine ....................
Maryland ................

11.0
95.0
55.0
35.0
160.0
270.0
125.0
80.0
4.0
9.0

11.5
85.0
56.0
35.0
130.0
240.0
115.0
77.0
3.5
8.0

1.0
350.0
41.0
60.0
120.0
160.0
35.0
3.0
13.0
26.0

1.0
340.0
38.0
62.0
120.0
180.0
35.0
3.0
11.0
23.0

5.0
225.0
90.0
45.0
590.0
1,710.0
110.0
19.0
3.0
6.0

5.0
235.0
93.0
48.0
540.0
1,630.0
130.0
19.0
5.0
6.0

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana ................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

3.0
23.0
85.0
91.0
300.0
320.0
350.0
38.0
1.2
1.5

2.0
19.0
80.0
83.0
305.0
310.0
320.0
35.0
1.1
1.6

5.5
152.0
210.0
5.0
30.0
4.0
30.0
9.0
6.0
2.8

4.0
140.0
200.0
4.0
30.0
4.0
30.0
9.0
6.0
2.2

1.0
45.0
145.0
38.0
230.0
186.0
1,580.0
28.0
0.8
1.2

1.5
41.0
160.0
38.0
235.0
186.0
1,530.0
26.0
0.9
1.1

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina .......
North Dakota .........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ..................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island .........
South Carolina .......

70.0
40.0
62.0
182.0
65.0
400.0
100.0
51.0
0.2
29.0

70.0
37.0
60.0
162.0
55.0
390.0
105.0
53.0
0.4
30.0

125.0
330.0
14.0
8.0
120.0
20.0
55.0
195.0
0.5
5.0

115.0
340.0
17.0
8.0
120.0
20.0
50.0
200.0
0.5
4.0

70.0
40.0
26.0
230.0
60.0
540.0
120.0
49.0
0.2
9.0

75.0
38.0
20.0
215.0
65.0
390.0
120.0
52.0
0.2
10.0

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas ....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ..................
Washington ...........
West Virginia .........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ...............

370.0
120.0
710.0
70.0
4.5
89.0
55.0
30.0
85.0
145.0

350.0
120.0
640.0
65.0
5.0
80.0
55.0
29.0
80.0
140.0

40.0
20.0
240.0
55.0
52.0
35.0
130.0
2.0
660.0
5.0

30.0
15.0
240.0
50.0
53.0
34.0
125.0
2.0
630.0
6.0

495.0
85.0
1,690.0
60.0
6.5
69.0
130.0
22.0
85.0
135.0

440.0
90.0
1,700.0
55.0
6.0
64.0
155.0
23.0
90.0
129.0

United States .........

5,481.5

5,163.7

4,440.6

4,337.2

9,993.9

9,671.6
--continued

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

7

Cattle Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023 (continued)
State

Steers
500 pounds and over
2022

Bulls
500 pounds and over

2023

(1,000 head)

2022

(1,000 head)

Calves
under 500 pounds

2023

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

2022

2023

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Alabama ................
Alaska ....................
Arizona ..................
Arkansas ................
California ...............
Colorado ................
Connecticut ............
Delaware ...............
Florida ....................
Georgia ..................

47.0
0.5
290.0
115.0
640.0
800.0
1.0
2.7
25.0
40.0

46.0
0.3
280.0
115.0
660.0
780.0
1.0
2.8
25.0
37.0

43.0
4.5
20.0
55.0
60.0
45.0
0.5
0.3
55.0
30.0

44.0
4.6
20.0
55.0
60.0
45.0
0.5
0.2
50.0
30.0

335.0
3.0
115.0
410.0
1,000.0
125.0
9.5
2.4
370.0
260.0

325.0
3.1
115.0
395.0
1,020.0
115.0
9.0
1.9
390.0
255.0

Hawaii ....................
Idaho ......................
Illinois .....................
Indiana ...................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ...................
Kentucky ................
Louisiana ...............
Maine .....................
Maryland ................

9.0
320.0
196.0
96.0
1,290.0
2,040.0
220.0
23.0
4.5
12.5

10.0
300.0
205.0
102.0
1,240.0
1,990.0
225.0
25.0
6.0
12.0

4.0
40.0
18.0
16.0
60.0
85.0
60.0
30.0
1.5
3.5

4.0
40.0
18.0
14.0
60.0
85.0
55.0
30.0
1.5
3.0

34.0
370.0
180.0
188.0
510.0
645.0
470.0
160.0
12.0
25.0

35.5
390.0
170.0
169.0
460.0
635.0
430.0
151.0
12.0
25.0

Massachusetts .......
Michigan ................
Minnesota ..............
Mississippi .............
Missouri .................
Montana .................
Nebraska ...............
Nevada ..................
New Hampshire .....
New Jersey ............

2.5
173.0
490.0
52.0
420.0
210.0
2,550.0
35.0
1.5
2.2

2.0
165.0
470.0
54.0
420.0
215.0
2,450.0
32.0
1.5
2.5

1.0
15.0
30.0
39.0
110.0
95.0
110.0
13.0
0.5
0.7

1.0
14.0
30.0
36.0
110.0
95.0
90.0
13.0
0.5
0.6

7.5
182.0
430.0
200.0
990.0
85.0
320.0
47.0
6.5
3.6

6.0
191.0
425.0
190.0
1,000.0
70.0
320.0
50.0
6.5
4.0

New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
North Carolina ........
North Dakota ..........
Ohio .......................
Oklahoma ..............
Oregon ...................
Pennsylvania .........
Rhode Island ..........
South Carolina .......

100.0
45.0
42.0
310.0
220.0
1,010.0
170.0
140.0
0.3
11.0

115.0
42.0
40.0
305.0
205.0
770.0
165.0
155.0
0.5
12.0

25.0
20.0
31.0
60.0
30.0
170.0
40.0
20.0
0.1
12.0

25.0
18.0
28.0
55.0
25.0
150.0
40.0
20.0
0.1
11.0

175.0
225.0
205.0
130.0
265.0
900.0
135.0
225.0
0.7
77.0

185.0
225.0
195.0
115.0
240.0
860.0
130.0
230.0
0.6
80.0

South Dakota .........
Tennessee .............
Texas .....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
Virginia ...................
Washington ............
West Virginia ..........
Wisconsin ..............
Wyoming ................

750.0
135.0
2,630.0
90.0
5.0
149.0
190.0
39.0
400.0
160.0

700.0
135.0
2,580.0
80.0
4.0
147.0
210.0
37.0
390.0
165.0

105.0
60.0
330.0
23.0
3.0
38.0
18.0
14.0
30.0
35.0

100.0
60.0
330.0
22.0
3.0
35.0
18.0
14.0
30.0
35.0

270.0
420.0
2,050.0
67.0
44.0
340.0
132.0
70.0
670.0
90.0

210.0
390.0
2,060.0
58.0
42.0
310.0
132.0
74.0
630.0
85.0

United States .........

16,704.7

16,131.6

2,109.6

2,029.0

13,986.2

13,620.6

8

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Calf Crop – States and United States: 2021 and 2022
State

2021

Percent of
previous year

2022

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Alabama .............................................................................
Alaska ................................................................................
Arizona ...............................................................................
Arkansas ............................................................................
California ............................................................................
Colorado .............................................................................
Connecticut ........................................................................
Delaware ............................................................................
Florida ................................................................................
Georgia ..............................................................................

600.0
5.5
290.0
770.0
1,920.0
800.0
17.5
3.9
800.0
520.0

580.0
5.5
290.0
760.0
1,970.0
780.0
16.5
3.5
780.0
500.0

97
100
100
99
103
98
94
90
98
96

Hawaii ................................................................................
Idaho ..................................................................................
Illinois .................................................................................
Indiana ...............................................................................
Iowa ....................................................................................
Kansas ...............................................................................
Kentucky .............................................................................
Louisiana ............................................................................
Maine .................................................................................
Maryland .............................................................................

62.0
990.0
370.0
330.0
1,130.0
1,400.0
980.0
355.0
28.0
62.0

63.0
950.0
365.0
330.0
1,070.0
1,370.0
920.0
340.0
28.0
62.0

102
96
99
100
95
98
94
96
100
100

Massachusetts ....................................................................
Michigan .............................................................................
Minnesota ...........................................................................
Mississippi ..........................................................................
Missouri ..............................................................................
Montana .............................................................................
Nebraska ............................................................................
Nevada ...............................................................................
New Hampshire ..................................................................
New Jersey .........................................................................

14.5
395.0
800.0
390.0
1,890.0
1,310.0
1,670.0
220.0
11.0
8.0

12.5
370.0
800.0
370.0
1,890.0
1,270.0
1,640.0
215.0
11.0
9.0

86
94
100
95
100
97
98
98
100
113

New Mexico ........................................................................
New York ............................................................................
North Carolina ....................................................................
North Dakota ......................................................................
Ohio ....................................................................................
Oklahoma ...........................................................................
Oregon ...............................................................................
Pennsylvania ......................................................................
Rhode Island ......................................................................
South Carolina ....................................................................

590.0
550.0
370.0
920.0
490.0
1,930.0
580.0
510.0
1.5
140.0

570.0
570.0
350.0
850.0
475.0
1,850.0
580.0
520.0
1.5
142.0

97
104
95
92
97
96
100
102
100
101

South Dakota ......................................................................
Tennessee ..........................................................................
Texas .................................................................................
Utah ....................................................................................
Vermont ..............................................................................
Virginia ...............................................................................
Washington ........................................................................
West Virginia ......................................................................
Wisconsin ...........................................................................
Wyoming ............................................................................

1,680.0
870.0
4,600.0
380.0
102.0
630.0
425.0
185.0
1,410.0
660.0

1,680.0
850.0
4,550.0
365.0
99.0
590.0
420.0
191.0
1,400.0
640.0

100
98
99
96
97
94
99
103
99
97

United States ......................................................................

35,165.9

34,464.5

98

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

9

All Cattle on Feed Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2022 and 2023
[Cattle and calves on feed are steers and heifers being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay, and/or protein supplement for slaughter market that are
expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. It excludes cattle being "backgrounded only" for later sale as feeders or later placement
in another feedlot. Cattle and calves on feed are included in the cattle inventory estimates by class]
State

2022

Percent of
previous year

2023

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Arizona ...............................................................................
California ............................................................................
Colorado .............................................................................
Idaho ...................................................................................
Illinois ..................................................................................
Indiana ................................................................................
Iowa ....................................................................................
Kansas ................................................................................
Kentucky .............................................................................
Maryland .............................................................................

274.0
555.0
1,160.0
320.0
210.0
105.0
1,170.0
2,610.0
18.0
8.0

269.0
520.0
1,070.0
330.0
220.0
110.0
1,150.0
2,480.0
18.0
7.0

98
94
92
103
105
105
98
95
100
88

Michigan .............................................................................
Minnesota ...........................................................................
Missouri ..............................................................................
Montana ..............................................................................
Nebraska ............................................................................
Nevada ...............................................................................
New York ............................................................................
North Dakota .......................................................................
Ohio ....................................................................................
Oklahoma ...........................................................................

160.0
380.0
80.0
43.0
2,820.0
3.0
22.0
39.0
150.0
315.0

150.0
350.0
80.0
40.0
2,780.0
3.0
23.0
41.0
140.0
280.0

94
92
100
93
99
100
105
105
93
89

Oregon ................................................................................
Pennsylvania ......................................................................
South Dakota ......................................................................
Texas ..................................................................................
Utah ....................................................................................
Virginia ................................................................................
Washington .........................................................................
West Virginia .......................................................................
Wisconsin ...........................................................................
Wyoming .............................................................................

130.0
70.0
445.0
2,930.0
21.0
17.0
220.0
4.0
270.0
69.0

135.0
65.0
430.0
2,780.0
18.0
14.0
270.0
3.0
240.0
72.0

104
93
97
95
86
82
123
75
89
104

Other States 1 .....................................................................

76.6

69.3

90

United States ......................................................................

14,694.6

14,157.3

96

1

Individual state estimates not available for states not shown, but are included in Other States.

10

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle Grazing on Small Grain Pasture – 3-State Total: January 1, 2022 and 2023
States

2022
(1,000 head)

Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas ..................................................

Percent of
previous year

2023
(1,000 head)

1,710.0

(percent)

1,630.0

95

Cattle Inventory by Class and Calf Crop – United States: July 1, 2021 and 2022
2021

2022

Percent of
previous year

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Class

All cattle and calves .............................................................................

100,800.0

98,600.0

98

All cows and heifers that have calved ..................................................
Beef cows ........................................................................................
Milk cows .........................................................................................

40,600.0
31,100.0
9,500.0

39,600.0
30,150.0
9,450.0

98
97
99

All heifers 500 pounds and over ...........................................................
For beef cow replacement ................................................................
For milk cow replacement ................................................................
Other heifers ....................................................................................

15,900.0
4,300.0
3,800.0
7,800.0

15,600.0
4,150.0
3,750.0
7,700.0

98
97
99
99

Steers 500 pounds and over ................................................................
Bulls 500 pounds and over ..................................................................
Calves under 500 pounds ....................................................................

14,600.0
2,000.0
27,700.0

14,400.0
2,000.0
27,000.0

99
100
97

All cattle on feed ..................................................................................

13,400.0

13,400.0

100

Calf crop ..............................................................................................

35,165.9

34,464.5

98

Calf Crop by Six Month Period – United States: 2021 and 2022
2021
Period

2022

Number

Percent of
total

Number

Percent of
total

(1,000 head)

(percent)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

January 1 - June 30 ...........
July 1 - December 31 .........

25,700.0
9,465.9

73.1
26.9

25,300.0
9,164.5

73.4
26.6

Total ..................................

35,165.9

100.0

34,464.5

100.0

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

11

Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: A random sample of United States producers were surveyed to provide data for these estimates.
Survey procedures ensured that all cattle producers, regardless of size, had a chance to be included in the survey. Large
producers were sampled more heavily than small operations. Data were collected from about 35,400 operators during the
first half of January by mail, telephone, internet, and face-to-face personal interviews and 65 percent of the reports were
usable. Regardless of when operators responded, they were asked to report inventories as of January 1.
Estimating Procedures: These cattle estimates were prepared by the Agricultural Statistics Board after reviewing
recommendations and analysis submitted by Regional Field Offices. National and State survey data were reviewed for
reasonableness with each other and with estimates from the previous year using a balance sheet. The balance sheet begins
with the previous inventory estimate, adds estimates of births and imports, and subtracts estimates of slaughter, exports,
and deaths. This indicated ending inventory level is compared to the Agricultural Statistics Board estimate for
reasonableness.
Revision Policy: Revisions to previous estimates are made to improve year to year and item to item relationships.
Estimates for the previous year are subject to revision when current estimates are made. The reviews are primarily based
on livestock slaughter and additional foreign trade and survey data. Estimates will also be reviewed after data from the
five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date.
Reliability: Since all cattle operators are not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability.
Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting,
recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through
rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and
reasonableness.
To assist users in evaluating the reliability of estimates in this report, the “Root Mean Square Error" is shown for
selected items in the table on the following page. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past
performance and is computed using the differences between first and latest estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for
all cattle and calves inventory estimates over the past 10 years is 0.5 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that
the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 89.3 million head by more than 0.5 percent. Chances
are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.9 percent.
The table on the following page shows a 10-year record of the range of differences between first and latest estimates for
selected items. Using estimates of all cattle and calves as an example, changes between the first inventory estimate and the
latest estimate during the past 10 years have averaged 321,000 head, ranging from 40,000 to 796,000 head. During this
period the initial inventory estimate has been above the latest estimate 4 times and below the latest estimate 6 times. This
does not imply that the January 1 estimate is likely to understate or overstate final inventory.

12

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of January 1 Cattle Estimates
[Based on data for the past 10 years]
Item

Root mean
square error
(percent)

90 percent
confidence
level
(percent)

Difference between first and latest estimate
Average

Smallest

Largest

(1,000
head)

(1,000
head)

(1,000
head)

Years
Below latest

Above latest

(number)

(number)

All cattle and calves .......................................

0.5

0.9

321

40

796

6

4

All cows and heifers that have calved ............

0.5

1.0

175

20

356

2

8

Calf crop ........................................................

0.8

1.4

215

20

468

3

7

Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to
contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to [email protected].
Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ......................................................................................................... (202) 692-0069
Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ............................................................................................................ (202) 690-2424
Sherry Bertramsen – Livestock Slaughter ................................................................................................ (202) 690-8632
Ryan Cowen – Cattle, Cattle on Feed ....................................................................................................... (202) 720-3040
Anthony Fischer – Hogs and Pigs ............................................................................................................ (202) 720-3106
Mike Miller – Milk Production and Milk Cows ....................................................................................... (202) 720-3278
Suzanne Richards – Dairy Products ......................................................................................................... (202) 720-4448
Suzanne Richards – Sheep and Goats ....................................................................................................... (202) 720-4448

Cattle (January 2023)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

13

Access to NASS Reports
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➢ All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov.
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subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and click on “National” or “State” in upper right corner above “search”
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