Source: Drovers
The USDA’s July 2025 Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports highlight historically low U.S. cattle supplies, signaling bullish market conditions. The total cattle on feed as of July 1 stood at 11.1 million head—2% below 2024 and the lowest since 1996—driven by an 8% drop in June placements, the smallest in 16 years. Steers increased slightly, while heifers declined by over 5%, suggesting minimal herd rebuilding.
Total U.S. cattle inventory dropped to 94.2 million head, the lowest on record, down 1% from 2023. The calf crop and beef replacement heifers also declined by 1% and 3%, respectively. Despite a slight rise in the July 1 beef cow estimate, analyst Dr. Derrell Peel warns against overinterpreting it as herd expansion. Marketings were down 4%, the lowest June level since 1996. Overall, the data confirm tight supplies amid slow heifer retention and limited herd rebuilding, reinforcing bullish sentiment in cattle markets.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.drovers.com/markets/usda-cattle-feed-bullish-inventory-report-shows-slow-herd