USDA Cattle Inventory Hits All-Time Low in 73 Years

The Cattle Raising sector of agriculture and farming is at major risk in the United States. Thomas Enoff, Cattle Rancher and Independent Insurance Adjuster reflects on recent findings published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):

According to findings published by the USDA, the total inventory of cattle in the United States is at what appears to be an all-time low in well over 70 years.  Reflecting on data collected since 1951, the results for the 2023 cattle market inventory are staggering.  The inventory of beef cows, milk cows, bulls, replacement heifers, calves and other steers are lower than anything else seen in decades.  As a Cattle Rancher, Thomas Enoff has insight into why this might be.  Unfortunately, a combination of high input costs and a year stricken by drought could be to blame.  These factors impacted the cattle market tremendously in 2023, with cattle ranchers and farmers like Enoff feeling compelled to focus their efforts in the direction of marketing a higher percentage of female cattle.  This impact is setting the tone for the cattle market in 2024.  Cattle Rancher Enoff looks to a year of challenges ahead at When Pigs Fly Farm.  But as always, agriculture is a sector that is dually challenging and rewarding — and certainly, to Enoff: well worth the effort in the long run.