Directions Fall 2026 | Page 44

DIRECTIONS STATISTICS

Welcome to the 32nd annual edition of Directions, a special issue of National Cattlemen featuring key beef industry statistics, trends and market insights. The information presented here is compiled each year by CattleFax analysts using open, voluntary and proprietary data sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, some operations may have chosen not to participate or may not be included. To be considered for the 2027 survey, contact CattleFax at( 800) 825-7525. All listings must meet ranking criteria.
Cattle and Calves on Farms( 1,000 head) Jan. 1, 2026

Vl

V

8,425
* 9.8 %
10,699
* 12.4 %

Vll

17,280 * 20.1 %

lV

18,310 * 21.3 %
13,630
* 15.8 %

lll
7,760 * 9.0 %
10,051 * 11.7 %

ll

l
U. S. TOTAL HEAD

86.2 MILLION JAN. 1, 2026

Cattle and calf numbers are down from 2025 by 0.4 %. Total head on Jan. 1, 2025, was 86.5 million head whereas total head on Jan. 1, 2026, was 86.2 million head. According to USDA’ s National Agricultural Statistics Service, cattle numbers were down in four regions and up in three regions.
2025
2026
REGION I *
11.6 %
11.7 %
INDIANA
800
820
KENTUCKY
1,840
1,820
MARYLAND
154
155
MICHIGAN
1,110
1,120
NEW ENGLAND **
430
431
NEW YORK
1,410
1,390
OHIO
1,240
1,230
PENNSYLVANIA
1,370
1,400
VIRGINIA
1,320
1,320
WEST VIRGINIA
365
365
TOTAL 10,039 10,051
** Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont
2025
2026
REGION II *
9.1 %
9.0 %
ALABAMA
1,180
1,200
FLORIDA
1,560
1,580
GEORGIA
980
970
LOUISIANA
720
680
MISSISSIPPI
810
800
N. CAROLINA
720
690
S. CAROLINA 295 280
TENNESSEE
1,570
1,560
TOTAL
7,835
7,760
2025
2026
REGION III * 16.0 %
15.8 %
ILLINOIS
1,010
980
IOWA
3,500
3,450
MINNESOTA
2,090
2,100
MISSOURI
3,950
3,850
WISCONSIN
3,250
3,250
TOTAL 13,800 13,630
2025
2026
REGION IV *
21.1 %
21.3 %
ARKANSAS
1,560
1,560
OKLAHOMA
4,600
4,650
TEXAS
12,100
12,100
TOTAL 18,260 18,310
2025
2026
REGION V * 12.5 %
12.4 %
ALASKA
20
19
COLORADO
2,550
2,550
IDAHO
2,490
2,500
MONTANA
2,160
2,140
OREGON
1,230
1,210
WASHINGTON
1,120
1,120
WYOMING
1,220
1,160
TOTAL 10,790 10,699
2025
2026
REGION VI *
9.9 %
9.8 %
ARIZONA
930
870
CALIFORNIA
5,050
5,050
HAWAII
133
135
NEVADA
435
420
NEW MEXICO
1,280
1,190
UTAH
740
760
TOTAL
8,568
8,425
2025
2026
REGION VII * 19.9 %
20.1 %
KANSAS
5,950
5,850
NEBRASKA
6,050
6,150
N. DAKOTA
1,680
1,730
S. DAKOTA
3,500
3,550
TOTAL
17,180
17,280
* Percent of the entire U. S. cow herd.
UP DOWN FLAT
42 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2026