In the U.S., there have been approximately three times more beef cows than dairy cows each year since 2001. As of 2024, it was estimated that there were about 28 million beef cows and only about 9.3 million dairy cows. Beef vs. dairy cows Both beef and dairy cows are bred for their respective purposes and farmers often look for different qualities in each. Dairy cows are often bigger, as they can produce a larger volume of milk. Beef cows on the other hand are generally shorter and there is more emphasis on their muscle growth, among other qualities. In 2022, over 28 billion pounds of beef were produced in the United States. U.S. milk production and consumption The United States was among the top consumers of milk worldwide in 2022, surpassed only by India and the European Union. The annual consumption of milk in the U.S. that year was just under 21 million metric tons. To keep up with this level of consumption, milk production in the U.S. has increased by over 60 billion pounds since 1999 and is expected to exceed 228 billion pounds by 2023. California and Wisconsin were the top producing states as of 2022, producing about 41.8 and 31.9 billion pounds of milk, respectively.
How many cows are in the U.S.? The United States is home to approximately 87.1 million cattle and calves as of 2024, dropping slightly from the 2023 value. Cattle farming in the United States There are over three times more beef cows than milk cows living in the United States. Raising cattle is notoriously expensive, not only in terms of land, feed, and equipment, but also in terms of the environmental impact of consuming beef. Beef and milk have the highest carbon footprints of any type of food in the United States. U.S. milk market The volume of milk produced in the United States has been steadily increasing over the last several years. In 2023, total milk production in the U.S. was about 228.3 billion pounds, up from 192.9 billion pounds in 2010. California is the leading producer of milk of any U.S. state, generating approximately 42 billion pounds of milk in 2022. Wisconsin came in second, producing about 31.9 billion pounds of milk in that year.
How many cattle are in the world? The global live cattle population amounted to about 1.57 billion heads in 2023, up from approximately 1.51 million in 2021. Cows as livestock The domestication of cattle began as early as 10,000 to 5,000 years ago. From ancient times up to the present, cattle are bred to provide meat and dairy. Cattle are also employed as draft animals to plow the fields or transport heavy objects. Cattle hide is used for the production of leather, and dung for fuel and agricultural fertilizer. In 2022, India was home to the highest number of milk cows in the world. Cattle farming in the United States Cattle meat such as beef and veal is one of the most widely consumed types of meat across the globe, and is particularly popular in the United States. The United States is the top producer of beef and veal of any country worldwide. In 2021, beef production in the United States reached 12.6 million metric tons. Beef production appears to be following a positive trend in the United States. More than 33.07 million cattle were slaughtered both commercially and in farms annually in the United States in 2019, up from 33 million in the previous year.
The Census of Agriculture, produced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides a complete count of America's farms, ranches and the people who grow our food. The census is conducted every five years, most recently in 2022, and provides an in-depth look at the agricultural industry.This layer was produced from data obtained from the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) Large Datasets download page. The data were transformed and prepared for publishing using the Pivot Table geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS Pro and joined to county boundaries. The county boundaries are 2022 vintage and come from Living Atlas ACS 2022 feature layers.Dataset SummaryPhenomenon Mapped: 2022 Cattle ProductionCoordinate System: Web Mercator Auxiliary SphereExtent: 48 Contiguous United States, Alaska, and HawaiiSource: USDA National Agricultural Statistics ServicePublication Date: 2022AttributesNote that some values are suppressed as "Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations", "Not applicable", or "Less than half the rounding unit". These have been coded in the data as -999, -888, and -777 respectively.Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (500 Or More Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - InventoryCattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, (Excl Cows): (500 Or More Head)Cattle, (Excl Cows) - Operations With InventoryCattle, Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Calves: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Calves: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Calves: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Calves: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Calves: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Calves: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Calves: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Calves - Operations With SalesCattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Calves: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Calves: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Calves: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Calves: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Calves: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Calves: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Calves: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Calves - Sales, Measured In HeadCattle, Calves, Veal, Raised Or Sold - Number Of OperationsCattle, Cows - InventoryCattle, Cows - Operations With InventoryCattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - InventoryCattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Beef Cows: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Cows, Beef - Operations With InventoryCattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - InventoryCattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Milk Cows: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Cows, Milk - Operations With InventoryCattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Operations With SalesCattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle >= 500 Lbs: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, >= 500 Lbs - Sales, Measured In HeadCattle, Heifers, >= 500 Lbs, Milk Replacement, Production Contract - Operations With ProductionCattle, Heifers, >= 500 Lbs, Milk Replacement, Production Contract - Production, Measured In HeadCattle, Incl Calves - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - InventoryCattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Inventory - Inventory Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With InventoryCattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (20 To 49 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (50 To 99 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (100 To 199 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (200 To 499 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With Sales - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (500 Or More Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Operations With SalesCattle, Incl Calves - Sales, Measured In US Dollars ($)Cattle, Incl Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (1 To 9 Head)Cattle, Incl Calves - Sales, Measured In Head - Sales Of Cattle, Incl Calves: (10 To 19 Head)Cattle, Incl
Number of Businesses statistics on the Beef Cattle Production industry in United States
This statistic shows the number of milk cows in the U.S. from 1999 to 2023. According to the report, there were approximately 9.3 million milk cows in the United States in 2023, down from about 9.4 million milk cows in 2022.
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The US beef cattle production industry is currently marked by tight supply conditions and elevated prices. Over recent years, persistent drought conditions have led to significant herd liquidation, with beef cow numbers falling to historic lows. This contraction has created a bottleneck in calf production and feeder cattle availability, sustaining high cattle prices. In tandem, elevated feed costs have further pressured prices upwards, driving revenue as cattle producers seek to pass on costs and maintain their heightened profit. As herd rebuilding has remained slow, cattle supplies have remained low and kept prices high even as feed, energy and other key agricultural input costs have declined from their highs in 2022. Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 6.3% during the current period to reach an estimated $97.3 billion after declining by 1.0% in 2025. Consumer preferences are shifting in the beef cattle production industry. There is an increasing awareness of environmental and health-related concerns associated with beef consumption. Consequently, many consumers are reducing their intake of conventional beef, turning instead towards more sustainable and perceived healthier alternatives such as grass-fed and organic beef. This shift has spurred growth in these segments as consumers look for transparency and ethical farming practices. Retailers and restaurants have responded accordingly by offering more options that align with these consumer preferences. However, these trends also pose challenges, especially for smaller producers who face significant costs associated with transitioning to sustainable practices or achieving certifications like organic or "sustainably raised." Though opportunities for growth will continue to present themselves, the outlook for the industry as a whole does not look as positive in the next five years. Poultry, pork and plant-based proteins will threaten beef demand as they appeal to health-conscious customers, particularly as cattle prices are elevated. Climate change will also continue to introduce environmental pressures, demanding resilience and adaptability from producers. Periods of stable weather could facilitate herd rebuilding, leading to increased cattle supplies and dropping prices, but continued climatic fluctuations and extreme weather events could reduce the consistency of production and increase revenue volatility. Advancements in technology, such as drones and wearable sensors, promise to help optimize cattle management, improving operational efficiencies and animal welfare. These innovations, however, require investment and broader accessibility to ensure equitable adoption across the industry. Additionally, while global trade disruptions remain a concern due to disease outbreaks and geopolitical tensions, US producers will have opportunities in niche market segments to differentiate themselves, counterbalancing some of these pressures. Overall, revenue for cattle producers is forecast to decline through 2030 at a CAGR of 1.5% to $90.4 billion.
Cattle and calves, number by class and calf crop, United States (head x 1,000). Data are available on an annual basis.
This dataset provides information on the number of milk cows, production of milk per cow and total milk production by state and region in the United States from the year 1970 to 2021.
California was the leading U.S. state in terms of the overall number of milk cows, with a total of over 1.7 million milk cows as of 2024. The total number of milk cows on farms in the United States shows that California holds a significant share of the total number of milk cows in the country. Unsurprisingly, California is also the leading milk producing state in the United States. Dairy industry in the U.S. According to the USDA, milk from U.S. farms is 90 percent water, with milk fat and skim solids making up the remaining 10 percent. Cow milk is a component of several dietary staples, such as cheese, butter, and yoghurt. Dairy is a very important industry in the United States, with this sector alone creating significant employment throughout the United States. The overall income of dairy farms in the U.S. amounted to about 51.3 billion U.S. dollars. Holtsein is the most popular breed of dairy cow farmed in the United States. Holstein have the highest milk production per cow in comparison to any other breed. Where is the U.S. positioned in the global dairy market? Topped only by the EU-27, the United States ranks as the second largest cow milk producer in the world, followed by India, Russia, and China. The United States also features among the top ten global milk exporters. The outlook for the future of the industry is also good, with milk production in the United States projected to steadily increase over the next years.
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This EnviroAtlas dataset summarizes by county the number of farm operations with dairy cows and the number of heads they manage. The data come from the Census of Agriculture, which is administered every five years by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and include the years 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017. The Census classifies cattle managed on operations as beef cows, dairy cows, or other cattle (which encompasses heifers, steers, bulls, and calves). Only data regarding dairy cows are displayed in this layer. Operations are categorized into small, medium, or large, based on how many heads they manage. For each county and Census year, the dataset reports the number of farm operations that manage dairy cows, the number of heads on their property at the end of the Census year, and a breakdown of the operations into small, medium, and large. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).
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United States Cattle Inventory: Beef Heifers Entering Cow Herd January to June: Percent Entering: from January to June data was reported at 45.024 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 47.881 % for 2022. United States Cattle Inventory: Beef Heifers Entering Cow Herd January to June: Percent Entering: from January to June data is updated yearly, averaging 44.379 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2023, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 47.881 % in 2022 and a record low of 40.803 % in 2021. United States Cattle Inventory: Beef Heifers Entering Cow Herd January to June: Percent Entering: from January to June data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Economic Research Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI018: Cattle Inventory.
Expert industry market research on the Beef Cattle Production in the US (2006-2031). Make better business decisions, faster with IBISWorld's industry market research reports, statistics, analysis, data, trends and forecasts.
Representative dairy farms were modeled using the Integrated Farm System Model with 20 farms in each of 6 regions of the United States for the years of 1971 and 2020 to determine improvements made in reducing environmental impacts over the 50-year period. Important data and information describing these farms are documented in these tables. These data include the farm location, number of cows and heifers maintained, milk produced, feeds and nutrient contents fed, crop areas, crop yields, fertilizer and lime application rates, irrigation water applied, milking and housing facilities, manure collection, storage and application methods used, and soil characteristics. These data are published as supplementary information for the article “Fifty years of environmental progress for United States dairy farms” published in the Journal of Dairy Science.
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United States Cattle Inventory: Heifers Entering Cow Herd from January to June: Heifers Entering the Herd: January to June data was reported at 3,966.590 Head th in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,201.489 Head th for 2022. United States Cattle Inventory: Heifers Entering Cow Herd from January to June: Heifers Entering the Herd: January to June data is updated yearly, averaging 4,201.489 Head th from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2023, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,421.573 Head th in 2018 and a record low of 3,966.590 Head th in 2023. United States Cattle Inventory: Heifers Entering Cow Herd from January to June: Heifers Entering the Herd: January to June data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Economic Research Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI018: Cattle Inventory.
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Forecast: Whole Fresh Cow Milk Producing Population in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!
This statistic shows the total number of slaughtered cattle in the United States from 2000 to 2023. In 2023, about 32.8 million cattle were slaughtered in the United States. The total number of cattle includes commercial and farm slaughtered cattle.
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The Census of Agriculture provides a detailed picture every five years of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Conducted by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2012 Census of Agriculture collected more than six million data items directly from farmers. The Ag Census Web Maps application makes this information available at the county level through a few clicks. The maps and accompanying data help users visualize, download, and analyze Census of Agriculture data in a geospatial context. Resources in this dataset:Resource Title: Ag Census Web Maps. File Name: Web Page, url: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2012/Online_Resources/Ag_Census_Web_Maps/Overview/index.php/ The interactive map application assembles maps and statistics from the 2012 Census of Agriculture in five broad categories:
Crops and Plants – Data on harvested acreage for major field crops, hay, and other forage crops, as well as acreage data for vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, and berries. Economics – Data on agriculture sales, farm income, government payments from conservation and farm programs, amounts received from loans, a broad range of production expenses, and value of buildings and equipment. Farms – Information on farm size, ownership, and Internet access, as well as data on total land in farms, land use, irrigation, fertilized cropland, and enrollment in crop insurance programs. Livestock and Animals – Statistics on cattle and calves, cows and heifers, milk cows, and other cattle, as well as hogs, sheep, goats, horses, and broilers. Operators – Statistics on hired farm labor, tenure, land rented or leased, primary occupation of farm operator, and demographic characteristics such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, and residence location.
The Ag Census Web Maps application allows you to:
Select a map to display from a the above five general categories and associated subcategories. Zoom and pan to a specific area; use the inset buttons to center the map on the continental United States; zoom to a specific state; and show the state mask to fade areas surrounding the state. Create and print maps showing the variation in a single data item across the United States (for example, average value of agricultural products sold per farm). Select a county and view and download the county’s data for a general category. Download the U.S. county-level dataset of mapped values for all categories in Microsoft ® Excel format.
This statistic shows projections for the number of milk cows in the United States from 2010 to 2027. In 2017, it is expected that there will be approximately 9.39 million milk cows in the U.S.
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United States Cattle Inventory: Heifers Entering Cow Herd from January to June: At the Beginning of January: Intended Herd Replacements data was reported at 8,586.700 Head th in 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8,669.500 Head th for 2024. United States Cattle Inventory: Heifers Entering Cow Herd from January to June: At the Beginning of January: Intended Herd Replacements data is updated yearly, averaging 10,138.100 Head th from Dec 2013 (Median) to 2025, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,149.200 Head th in 2016 and a record low of 8,586.700 Head th in 2025. United States Cattle Inventory: Heifers Entering Cow Herd from January to June: At the Beginning of January: Intended Herd Replacements data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Economic Research Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI018: Cattle Inventory.
In the U.S., there have been approximately three times more beef cows than dairy cows each year since 2001. As of 2024, it was estimated that there were about 28 million beef cows and only about 9.3 million dairy cows. Beef vs. dairy cows Both beef and dairy cows are bred for their respective purposes and farmers often look for different qualities in each. Dairy cows are often bigger, as they can produce a larger volume of milk. Beef cows on the other hand are generally shorter and there is more emphasis on their muscle growth, among other qualities. In 2022, over 28 billion pounds of beef were produced in the United States. U.S. milk production and consumption The United States was among the top consumers of milk worldwide in 2022, surpassed only by India and the European Union. The annual consumption of milk in the U.S. that year was just under 21 million metric tons. To keep up with this level of consumption, milk production in the U.S. has increased by over 60 billion pounds since 1999 and is expected to exceed 228 billion pounds by 2023. California and Wisconsin were the top producing states as of 2022, producing about 41.8 and 31.9 billion pounds of milk, respectively.