WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Cattle and sheep inventories across the United States and Canada declined slightly entering 2026, reflecting continued herd tightening alongside modest growth in select segments, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reported combined U.S. and Canadian cattle and calf inventories at 97.3 million head on January 1, 2026, essentially unchanged from a year earlier. U.S. inventories slipped to 86.2 million head from 86.5 million, while Canada’s herd rose 3 percent to 11.1 million head. Cows and heifers that have calved totaled 41.6 million head across both countries, down slightly year over year.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Herd contraction remains gradual across North America.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Sheep inventories also edged lower overall. Combined U.S. and Canadian sheep and lamb numbers totaled 5.82 million head, down slightly from last year. U.S. inventories fell 1 percent to 4.99 million head, while Canada’s flock rose 3 percent to 833,000 head, with gains in both breeding and market segments.
Market sheep and lamb inventories increased modestly across both countries, suggesting steady near-term supply despite tighter breeding numbers.
President Donald Trump says a deal is nearly done on lowering beef prices, but he has not released details.
October 17, 2025 11:31 AM
·
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
October 16, 2025 04:20 PM
·
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
October 16, 2025 03:59 PM
·
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
·
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
October 15, 2025 03:47 PM
·
Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.
October 15, 2025 11:53 AM
·
