The following report was prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The report draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry, as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
The Jan. 1 USDA Cattle Inventory report released last Friday was highly anticipated. Some analysts thought the beef cow inventory would be even with 2025 or slightly higher due to the decline in beef cow harvest. Instead, beef cow numbers fell by 1 percent to 27.607 million, making it the smallest herd since 1951 and marking seven straight years of a shrinking herd.
Wisconsin’s beef cow herd remained static at 275,000 head. Neighboring Minnesota increased beef cow numbers by 4 percent while Iowa’s herd was 1 percent smaller. Heifers kept for beef replacement were up less than 1 percent nationally, with Wisconsin farmers keeping 65,000 heifers for breeding, equal to last year’s Jan. 1 report. Wisconsin’s cattle on feed inventory grew by 10 percent to a total of 240,000.
The nation’s dairy herd saw growth. At 9.57 million head, total dairy cow inventory increased by 2 percent. Wisconsin dairy farmers added to their herds in 2025, with total inventory increasing by 2 percent to a total of 1.285 million head. It is difficult to make a case for the report being either bullish or bearish, although it does tell us that herd rebuilding has not begun in any large way.
Last week’s estimated harvest total was 531,000 head, making it the lowest non-holiday harvest since the spring of 2020, when the pandemic impacted packer operations. Harvest was 4,000 fewer than the previous week and 71,000 fewer than last year. Cash cattle were higher by the end of last week, and that strength has carried over with most auction markets reporting higher prices. The cutout value was $1.68 higher last week, averaging $367.99.
Fed cattle sold stronger this week. Top quality beef steers and heifers brought $226- $239/cwt, with a few selling higher. Mixed Choice and Select steers and heifers ranged from $214-225/cwt. High-grading Holstein steers were steady to strong at $190-$212/cwt with several packages selling higher. Lower grading steers brought $169-$190/cwt. Silage-fed, under-finished steers brought $90-$168/cwt. Dairy Beef cross steers were $1-$2 higher, bringing $185-$232.
Cows were higher. Most cows brought $110-$146/cwt, with a few selling into the low $160s. Lower-yielding cows brought $60-$109/cwt. Doubtful health and thin cows brought up to $60/cwt.
Dairy breed bull calves were steady, selling from $650-$1,250/head, with some higher. Dairy breed heifer calves brought $200-$600/head. Beef and Beef Cross calves were higher from $700 to $1,700/head. Light and lower quality calves sold up to $60.
