The U.S. beef cow herd is at its smallest level since 1971. According to the semi-annual cattle inventory report, there were 29.4 million beef cows as of July 1. That’s down nearly three percent from a year ago and reflects the fifth straight year of declining beef cow numbers. In the separate USDA Cattle-on-Feed Report, the inventory is down two percent from July of 2022. Placements were three percent above one year ago and marketings are five percent below 2022.
