Editor's Note: Pasture to Pen is a new DTN blog featuring all parts of the cattle and livestock industry and the farming and ranching lifestyle -- from pasture to pen.

**

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- What's the difference between the 1959 USDA Cattle Inventory report and the 2026 report besides 67 years? Actually, not that much, yet so much has changed.

About a month ago, I had noticed some old cattle and agricultural publications on a local online auction. I purchased the lot and mostly wanted it for the nostalgia and being able to read vintage publications. Highlighted on the cover of a 1959 issue of Wallaces Farmer was the USDA January livestock inventory report with the headline in red, "More Beef Cattle."

This clearly isn't the same headline we have after the 2026 USDA Cattle Inventory Report that was released last week. (https://www.dtnpf.com/…)

It showed the lowest inventory in 75 years.

All cattle and calves as of Jan. 1, 2026, are at 86.2 million head, compared to 96.9 million head in 1959. Not more cattle now. In fact, drought, fires, high input costs, the aging producer and so many factors have us where we are now. And for young producers, like my children, the cost of a cow to help them build the herd is quite high. Thankfully, the calf at the side is worth a lot, too. It's a seller's market.

The 1959 report showed a 4% increase in the beef cow inventory and really showed the beginning of the increase in cow numbers across our country in the years since then, up until the past few years.

Cattle have been a foundation on our farm through the years. In 1959, the cow herd wasn't the only entity on our farm. Diversity was the name of the game back then. They raised the essentials needed to feed the family in the same area where we are today. But today, cattle are the only animals on our farm.

The 1959 Wallaces Farmer article noted an increased feed supply, and good cattle prices had encouraged a herd expansion and beef cow slaughter had dropped sharply. This led to an increase in beef cow numbers, and beef heifer numbers were at an all-time high. The 2026 report showed a 1% increase in replacement heifers. While encouraging, it's still not near enough to even consider a herd regrowth.

It is interesting to see old articles and compare what agriculture is like now to another time in history. On our farm, the cattle numbers have fluctuated over the years. For us, it's important to continue the legacy that was set by the generations prior, but it certainly isn't always easy. We are continually trying to figure out how to have more cattle on our farm, even when there are not more cattle across the country.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

(c) Copyright 2026 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.