By: Matthew Fischer, Clemson Extension Livestock and Forage Economist, and Brian Beer, Clemson Extension Area Livestock and Forage Agent
The 2025 January Cattle Inventory Report was released by the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) on January 31, 2025. Below are some insights from the report.
United States:
As of January 1, 2025, the US cattle inventory totaled 86.7 million head, 1 percent lower than the January 2024 inventory of 87.2 million head (See Figure 1). The reduction continues the downward trend in cattle inventory that started after 2019.
Figure 1:
(Source: USDA, NASS)
Cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.2 million head, a relatively flat movement from the 37.4 million head on January 1, 2024. Beef cows were down 1% from 2024 at 27.9 million head. Beef cow replacements were 1% lower in 2025 at 4.67 million head.
Feeder cattle over 500 lbs. all reported 1% lower inventory from 2024. Heifers (500 lbs. and over) were 18.2 million head. Beef replacement heifers were 4.67 million in 2025, down 1% from 2024. Steers were reported at 15.8 million, and bulls were 2.01 million head.
South Carolina:
South Carolina’s cattle and calves inventory expanded in 2025 from 2024. Total cattle and calves’ inventory on January 31, 2025, was reported at 295,000, up 2% from 2024. Cow inventory increased in 2025 by 1%, from 156,000 to 157,000. All cows and heifers that have calved were 1% higher at 157,000 head, and South Carolina’s calf crop was 1% higher at 134,000 head. Historically, beef cows that have calved have comprised 94-95% of all cows and heifers that have calved. Using that historical percentage would place 2025 beef cows that have calved at 149,000 head, barely 1% higher than 2024. Unfortunately, USDA did not provide inventory on any other category. Leaving speculation where the missing 4,000 head would be categorized, hopefully in unreported heifer inventory. Regardless, we must be careful signaling expansion. South Carolina reported inventory expansion in 2023, only to follow a liquidation trend in 2024. Will have to wait and see.
Takeaways:
The missing inventory number in the beef replacement category is frustrating. One of the early indicators of the transition from herd liquidation to herd expansion is the number of beef cow replacements. Nationally, cattle liquidation is still taking place. Regionally, we just don’t know due to the missing data. It isn’t unreasonable to conclude that South Carolina’s beef replacement inventory is higher in 2025, but that is speculation. The additional 4,000 head could be beef replacements, milk cow replacements, cows that have calved (beef or milk cows), steers or bulls over 500 pounds, or calves under 500 pounds. Without those categories in the report, we don’t know where increase occurred.
The national market could be slowing down on liquidation, with all reported categories reporting a 1% or less reduction in inventory. This still leaves fewer hooves on the ground to supply the beef market.
You may review the 2025 January Cattle Inventory Report in its entirety at: https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/h702q636h/sf26b275x/h989sz55j/catl0125.pdf.
