The United States is the world's largest producer of high-quality beef, which is primarily grass-fed and grain-finished, with increasing opportunities for grass-finishing, for domestic and export use. Both cow-calf and cattle feeding operations are important industry production sectors supported by funding from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Cattle and calves accounted for $108 billion in farm cash receipts in 2024, the largest figure for any single commodity. As of January, the U.S. cattle inventory stood at 86.7 million head. Put simply, cattle production is one of the United States’ most important agricultural industries.
NIFA supports research and Extension efforts at Land-grant Universities to ensure cattle producers have access to current science-based information to help them make the best management decisions possible for their operations.
Highlights
- The cost of cattle feed can be up to 75% of the direct cost associated with beef production, and there is significant variation in an individual animal’s ability to convert feed to growth. University of Missouri researchers are looking at how differences in animal DNA affect how efficiently animals use food to grow. This research could help producers select animals that get the most out of their feed, saving them money and resources. This project was supported by Hatch funding and other NIFA competitive grants.
- The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service’s Beef Quality Assurance program provides state cattle producers with science-based training on how to optimize animal husbandry and health management, resulting in healthier, higher-value cattle and improved consumer confidence in the supply chain. This program was supported by Smith-Lever funding.
- Mississippi State University scientists are developing a rapid, noninvasive diagnostic method using near infrared spectroscopy to identify Bovine Respiratory Disease in cattle. This new method improves early detection, animal welfare and reduces antibiotic use, ultimately enhancing the sustainability of the U.S. beef industry. This project was supported by Hatch funding and other NIFA competitive grants.
- Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension worked with small producers to improve their business operations to boost herd health and productivity. This program was supported by 1890 Extension funds.
- Iowa State University Extension organized workshops for producers that highlighted various ways to meet beef cow nutritional needs with alternative feeds or make changes in feeding methods, saving farmers money on feeding costs. This work was supported by Smith-Lever funding.
- An Auburn University scientist is investigating whether adding alfalfa to bermudagrass pastures in Alabama can produce more grass year-round. By extending the annual forage production season, producers can rely less on expensive supplemental feeds and lower their overall costs. This project was supported by Hatch funding.