In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey approximately 1,700 cattle operations across the Mountain Regional states of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, to provide an up-to-date measure of the United States cattle inventory. 

“This information helps producers make timely, informed business decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction. It also helps packers and government leaders evaluate expected slaughter volume for future months and determine potential supplies for export,” said Bill Meyer, Director, Mountain Regional Field Office. “Obtaining the current count of cattle will serve as an important decision-making tool for the entire agriculture industry.”

During the first two weeks of July, Mountain Regional producers will have the opportunity to report their beef and dairy cattle inventories, calf crop, death loss, and cattle on feed information. To make it as easy as possible for producers to participate in the survey, NASS offers the option of responding via the Internet, telephone, or by mail. 

As with all NASS surveys, the results of this survey will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. NASS will compile, analyze, and publish survey results in the Cattle report on July 22, 2022.