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.

India's cattle inventory amounted to about 308 million in 2023. In comparison, the global cattle population stood at over one billion, India had the highest cattle population followed by Brazil, China and the United States that year.

Where are cattle bred in India?

As one of the leading dairy producers and consumers worldwide, cattle in the south Asian country were bred mainly in the rural areas. However, its population was spread unevenly across the vast land. Uttar Pradesh ranked first in terms of milk production, followed by Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh in 2023.

Contextualizing the holiness of the Indian cow Considered a sacred animal by Hindus in India, the cow is associated with several gods and goddesses. This deep religious and cultural significance has led to communal tensions. In 2014, the government established the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to conserve and develop indigenous breeds of cows and buffaloes. While the general goal was well-received, it aligns with the underlying Hindu nationalist narrative of the current government.

How many cows are in the world? India is home to the highest number of milk cows of any country, at over 61 million head as of 2024. That year, the European Union had the second most milk cows worldwide, at about 20 million head. Raising milk cows In the United States, the cost of feeding, housing, and caring for a single cow is around 2,260 U.S. dollars per 24 months. Though this price might seem high, when one considers that the average milk cow in the United States produces around 24.3 thousand pounds of milk per year, the investment might be worth it. Dairy production worldwide Although India is by far the largest producer of milk cows, the 27 member states of the European Union collectively produce nearly twice the amount of cow milk of India. The United States came in second place with just under 104 million metric tons of milk, followed by India with about 100 million metric tons. The European Union is also the leading producer of cheese worldwide.

Cows population of Amur Region decreased by 1.59% from 37.8 thousand heads in 2016 to 37.2 thousand heads in 2017. Since the 2.45% rise in 2015, cows population dropped by 6.30% in 2017. Livestock population include all age groups population of livestock of corresponding type. Object - large, medium and small farms. Period - as on the 1st of February.

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.

Global Whole Fresh Cow Milk Producing Population by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

China Livestock: Number: Cow data was reported at 105,085.102 Unit th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 102,158.520 Unit th for 2022. China Livestock: Number: Cow data is updated yearly, averaging 103,974.569 Unit th from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2023, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 132,060.000 Unit th in 1995 and a record low of 88,344.899 Unit th in 2016. China Livestock: Number: Cow data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Agriculture Sector – Table CN.RID: Number of Livestock: Large Animals: Cow .

Global Whole Fresh Cow Milk Producing Population Share by Country (Units (Heads)), 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

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.

Livestock: Number: Beef Cattle: Zhejiang data was reported at 109.000 Unit th in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 121.000 Unit th for 2021. Livestock: Number: Beef Cattle: Zhejiang data is updated yearly, averaging 103.000 Unit th from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2022, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 121.000 Unit th in 2021 and a record low of 23.000 Unit th in 2008. Livestock: Number: Beef Cattle: Zhejiang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Agriculture Sector – Table CN.RID: Number of Livestock: Large Animals: Cow .

Milk yield per cow of Buryatia, Republic of dropped by 5.33% from 1,988.00 kg in 2015 to 1,882.00 kg in 2016. Since the 9.87% jump in 2011, milk yield per cow plummeted by 17.56% in 2016. Relation of milk output from cows of milking herd to the annual average cow population of milking herd.

A stereotypical image of the Dutch countryside would quite likely consist of flat, green meadows filled with horses, sheep and of course the world-famous black-and-white cows. And there is some truth to each stereotype: there were an impressive 1.57 million cows in the Netherlands in 2021, or almost one-tenth of the country’s human population.

 Scaling up in dairy farming   

In 2021, just over 15,000 farms owned dairy cows, a considerable decrease in comparison to a decade ago, when there were still over 19,000 farms with dairy cows. In the same period however, the number of cows per farm increased significantly. Whereas in 2009 the average Dutch farm had 73 dairy cows, by 2021 this had grown to 103. So although the number of farms decreased, the remaining farms had more cows to take care of.

Dairy cows in the Benelux countries  

The importance of the Netherlands in dairy farming becomes even more obvious when comparing the number of dairy cows in the country to the other Benelux countries, Belgium and Luxembourg. There were over 2.1 million dairy cows in the Benelux, but three quarters of these cows were Dutch. In comparison, in Belgium there were just under 540,000 dairy cows in 2021.

Azerbaijan Number of Livestock: Cattle data was reported at 2,519.700 Head th in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,504.000 Head th for 2020. Azerbaijan Number of Livestock: Cattle data is updated yearly, averaging 2,095.000 Head th from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2021, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,519.700 Head th in 2021 and a record low of 1,330.400 Head th in 1993. Azerbaijan Number of Livestock: Cattle data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Azerbaijan – Table AZ.B010: Number of Livestock.

Ethiopia had the highest number of cattle in Africa as of 2022, roughly 68 million heads. This represented almost double the amount registered in Chad, which possessed the second-highest bovine animal stock on the continent. That same year, Africa had over 381 million heads of cattle, one of the major species raised for livestock farming on the continent.

Cattle Vaccines Market Size And Forecast

Cattle Vaccines Market size was valued at USD 13.07 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 21.33 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.32% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Global Cattle Vaccines Market Drivers

The market drivers for the Cattle Vaccines Market can be influenced by various factors. These may include:

Growing Rate Of Diseases In Cattle: Effective vaccines are in high demand in order to protect cattle from infectious diseases such as brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease, and viral diarrhoea in cows.

Growing Requirement For Animal-Based Protein: The growing number of people on the planet has increased demand for dairy and meat products, which calls for robust herds of cattle. In order to prevent disease outbreaks and maintain constant production, this demand drives the need for vaccines.

Technological Developments In Vaccines: The creation of more potent and effective vaccinations, particularly those that provide extended immunity and broad-spectrum protection, has been facilitated by advancements in immunology and biotechnology. These developments support market expansion.

Governmental Proposals And Assistance: Worldwide, a large number of governments carry out immunisation campaigns and offer financial assistance or subsidies for veterinary services, which includes vaccinations for cattle. These programmes aid in the prevention of livestock illnesses and promote market expansion.

Raising Preventive Healthcare Awareness And Adoption: Vaccination rates are rising as a result of farmers and livestock owners’ growing awareness of the advantages of preventive care for cattle. This is largely due to the education and outreach initiatives that veterinary businesses and organisations run.

Growth Of The Meat And Dairy Industries: The need for cow vaccinations is driven by the expansion of the meat and dairy industries, particularly in emerging economies. The necessity of keeping sizable, healthy herds grows as these sectors develop.

Livestock Diseases’ Effects On The Economy: Cattle disease outbreaks can have serious economic repercussions, such as reduced production, trade restrictions, and animal losses. Vaccination is a reasonably priced way to reduce these dangers, which is fueling demand.

Creation Of Novel And Better Vaccines: New vaccinations with improved protection, fewer side effects, and simpler administration are introduced as a result of ongoing research and development efforts, which has a favourable effect on market expansion.

Standards And Regulations: Vaccine usage is encouraged by strict laws and guidelines pertaining to the health and safety of animals. Adherence to these standards is crucial for the commerce and export of livestock, hence promoting the implementation of vaccination campaigns.

Growing The Population Of Livestock: The number of animals worldwide is increasing, especially in emerging nations where raising cattle is a major source of income. More vaccinations are required to prevent and manage diseases in a greater population of cattle.

Brazil Number of Livestock: Slaughtered Cattle: Cow: Santa Catarina data was reported at 14,971.000 Head in Mar 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 13,243.000 Head for Feb 2019. Brazil Number of Livestock: Slaughtered Cattle: Cow: Santa Catarina data is updated monthly, averaging 9,695.000 Head from Jan 1997 (Median) to Mar 2019, with 267 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18,198.000 Head in Oct 2018 and a record low of 2,710.000 Head in Jan 1997. Brazil Number of Livestock: Slaughtered Cattle: Cow: Santa Catarina data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Agriculture Sector – Table BR.RIK005: Number of Livestock: Cattle.

Livestock: Number: Cow: Xinjiang data was reported at 8,156.279 Unit th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,909.077 Unit th for 2022. Livestock: Number: Cow: Xinjiang data is updated yearly, averaging 3,765.175 Unit th from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2023, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,156.279 Unit th in 2023 and a record low of 3,182.000 Unit th in 2011. Livestock: Number: Cow: Xinjiang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Agriculture Sector – Table CN.RID: Number of Livestock: Large Animals: Cow .

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.

Livestock: Number: Beef Cattle: Ningxia data was reported at 1,484.000 Unit th in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,376.000 Unit th for 2021. Livestock: Number: Beef Cattle: Ningxia data is updated yearly, averaging 721.000 Unit th from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2022, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,484.000 Unit th in 2022 and a record low of 391.000 Unit th in 2008. Livestock: Number: Beef Cattle: Ningxia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Agriculture Sector – Table CN.RID: Number of Livestock: Large Animals: Cow .

Cows: total number of heads of Autonomous Republic of Crimea slumped by 6.36% from 70.7 thousand heads in 2011 to 66.2 thousand heads in 2012. Since the 3.50% fall in 2008, cows: total number of heads sank by 24.94% in 2012. As of January 1 of the next year.