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
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) builds on the USDA’s Grazing Action Plan and is designed to improve coordination, streamline permitting, and strengthen partnerships with ranchers who rely on public lands.
Corn and sorghum exports remain strong; soybean demand lags.
Secretary Rollins is signaling a possible reopening of the southern border to Mexican feeder cattle as officials work to manage the threat of the New World Screwworm.
Building on the USDA’s recently released Grazing Action Plan, the agreement formalizes collaboration between the USDA, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management to ensure more efficient, transparent, and responsive grazing management across federal lands.
USDA’s Quarterly Grain Stocks report shows increased supplies across all major commodities, with corn, soybeans, and wheat stocks all rising compared to a year ago. Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses producer and market sentiment ahead of the key report.
Tony St. James and StoneX’s Arlan Suderman provide real-time insight on the USDA’s annual Prospective Plantings report, which shows a shifting acreage across commodities, with farmers planning to cut back on corn and wheat while increasing soybean and cotton acres.

Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.