According to USDA’s semiannual cattle inventory report, the U.S. beef cow herd declined for the third consecutive year throughout 2021, reaching a seven year low level. The report showed that as of January 1^st, 2022, the total U.S. beef cow herd stood at 30.125 million head, down 718,500 head, or 2.3%, from the previous year. The YOY decline in the beef cow herd was the largest experienced throughout the past 25 years on a percentage basis.

Texas had the largest beef cow herd as of January 1^st, 2022, followed by Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska. The aforementioned states accounted for over a third of the total national beef cow herd.

YOY declines in beef cow herd figures were led by South Dakota (-189,000 head), followed by Texas (-160,000 head) and Missouri (-94,000 head). Iowa (+65,000 head) and Idaho (+34,000 head) experienced the largest increases in their beef cow herds throughout the year.

Beef heifer replacements continued to decline, reaching an eight year low level as of Jan ’22. Total beef heifer replacements of 5.61 million head declined 191,600 head, of 3.3%, from the previous year. The YOY decline in beef heifer replacements was the fifth experienced in a row. On a heifer replacement per beef cow basis, the Jan ’22 figure of 0.186 declined slightly from the previous year but remained above the seven year low level experienced throughout Jan ’20.

Texas had the largest number of beef heifer replacements as of January 1^st, 2022, followed by Oklahoma, South Dakota and Nebraska. The aforementioned states accounted for over a third of the total U.S. beef heifer replacements.

YOY declines in beef heifer replacements were most significant within Texas (-110,000 head), followed by Montana (-50,000 head) and Missouri (-25,000 head). Nebraska (+20,000 head) and Kansas (+20,000 head) experienced the largest increases in beef heifer replacements throughout the year.

Beef heifer replacements expected to calve also declined to an eight year low level as of Jan ’22. Total beef heifer replacements expected to calve of 3.41 million head declined 98,100 head, or 2.8%, from the previous year. On a heifer replacement expected to calve per beef cow basis, the Jan ’22 figure of 0.113 declined slightly from the previous year but remained slightly above Jan ’19 and Jan ’20 levels.