The total number of cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2025, was estimated at 94.2 million head, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This figure represents a 1 percent decline from the 95.4 million head reported on July 1, 2023.
The report shows that all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 38.1 million head, down 1 percent from the 38.4 million head a year earlier. Of that total, beef cows were estimated at 28.7 million head, also down 1 percent. Milk cows, however, increased 1 percent to 9.45 million head.
All heifers 500 pounds and over totaled 14.6 million head, a 2 percent decline from 2023. Within that category, beef replacement heifers dropped 3 percent to 3.70 million head. Milk replacement heifers held steady at 3.50 million head, while other heifers declined 3 percent to 7.40 million head.
Steers 500 pounds and over totaled 13.8 million head, down 1 percent from the previous year. Bulls 500 pounds and over remained unchanged at 1.90 million head. Calves under 500 pounds totaled 25.8 million head, down 2 percent.
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all U.S. feedlots totaled 13.0 million head, a decrease of 1 percent from 2023. Of this total, 85.6 percent were in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more.
The 2025 calf crop is expected to total 33.1 million head, down 1 percent from 2024. An estimated 24.3 million calves were born in the first half of the year, also down 1 percent from the same period last year. An additional 8.80 million calves are expected to be born during the second half of 2025.
The USDA collected this data through surveys of approximately 17,900 producers and feedlots, conducted during the first half of July. This annual report provides a mid-year snapshot of cattle numbers and calf crop expectations across the country.