This continued reduction in total head counts, led by a 0.53% (149,500 head) year-on-year reduction in beef cows, continues to indicate restricted herd growth. Currently, the beef herd is at 27.86 million head, the lowest since 1961 when the beef cattle herd was at 27.3 million head.

Heifer head counts continue to drop as well, at 18.18 million head for January 2025. This is a 0.76% (140,100 head) reduction from January 2024 when head counts were at 18.32 million head.

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