WASHINGTON, D.C. – There were 86.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Other key findings in the report were: — Of the 86.2 million head inventory, all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.2 million.
— There are 27.6 million beef cows in the United States as of Jan. 1, 2026, down 1% from last year.
— The number of milk cows in the United States increased to 9.57 million.
— U.S. calf crop was estimated at 32.9 million head, down 2% from previous year.
— All cattle on feed were at 13.8 million head, down 3% from 2025.
To obtain an accurate measurement of the current state of the U.S. cattle industry, NASS surveyed approximately 35,000 operators across the nation during the first half of Janu ary. Surveyed producers were asked to report their cattle inventories as of Jan. 1, 2026, and calf crop for the entire year of 2025 by internet, mail, telephone, or in-person interview.
The Cattle report and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications.
