USDA to release its only cattle inventory report of the year today

EDITOR’S NOTE: In March 2025, the USDA announced it would resume the July Cattle Inventory Reports. The next one will be released on July 25, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s only Cattle Inventory Report will be out later today. The markets are eager to get ahold of this data, which will be the only report of its kind this year.

The big question will be whether the U.S. beef cow herd has seen any growth. Some analysts believe the number will be lower than last year’s January report. Analysts with DTN feel the same. Adding slaughter data for last year also supports a decline.

The USDA decided to stop publishing the July Cattle Inventory Report last year. The Department says the move was necessary due to budget concerns. NCBA calls the move misguided, and Dr. Darrell Peel says it will be a big loss for the industry.

The Cattle Inventory Report will be the only one of the year and will come out at 3:00 PM Eastern.

PDF: JANUARY 2025 CATTLE INVENTORY REPORT

Related Stories
March pork gains lifted total meat production, but first-quarter output still ran below last year.
Weekly export movement stayed solid, with corn and sorghum continuing to show the strongest overall pace.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joins us to break down the latest USDA crop progress report, share insights from growers, and discuss how global factors are shaping planting decisions this season.
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with the Texas Shrimp Association at the Port of Brownsville about the future of the USDA’s new Office of Seafood.
Higher cow numbers and slightly stronger output per cow pushed milk production above last year.
Food inflation is still building in 2026, with beef leading pressure while eggs and dairy offer some relief.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

A bipartisan Senate delegation recently traveled to China ahead of President Trump’s meeting in Beijing.
Trucking industry expert Lewie Pugh joins us to discuss rising diesel costs, challenges facing independent truckers, and the broader impact on agriculture and rural transportation.
The White House is reportedly moving forward with beef import tariff reductions as officials look to lower food costs for consumers.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss the latest developments surrounding the Trump/Xi summit, what the negotiations could mean for U.S. agriculture, and
trade enforcement concerns.