USDA released three major reports on Friday; the semi-annual cattle inventory report, the monthly cattle on feed report and the cold storage report. The total number of cattle and calves in the U.S. totaled 94.2 million head, a nominal 200,000 head increase over last year. It marks the first year-over-year increase in cattle numbers since 2018. Beef cow numbers dropped 200,000 head, but that was offset by a 200,000 head increase in dairy cows. The 2026 calf crop is down two percent from last year. In the monthly cattle-on feed report, cattle inventories rose two percent, while marketings and placements declined three percent.
