US cattle population reaches lowest level since 1951

The reason for the decline in cattle production is the drought of the last 2 years. It is reported that the number of beef cows is 28.2 million, which is 2% (700 thousand heads) less than in 2022. At the same time, 33.6 million calves were counted, which is 2.5% less compared to 2022.

According to analysts, these figures indicate a reduction in slaughter capacity in the United States. “The number of replacement young animals provides interesting information about the mood among calf producers. The total number of beef replacement cows decreased by 1.4% compared to 2022, but previous figures were even lower,” the publication quotes analyst Len Steiner as saying.

He said the report, covering data to January 1, 2023, showed the beef cow population at 5.164 million, down a "staggering" 6% from a year earlier. In the latest report, these figures were revised downward to 4.93 million head, representing a 10% difference between 2022 and 2023.

According to the expert, over the next few years, the level of cattle slaughter in the country will decrease significantly, just as it happened in 2015, after a long drought in the United States.