In a recent article put out by the USDA, studies show beef cow-calf production continues to be a lifestyle choice for some farmers. The 2022 USDA Census reported 85% of the total U.S. cattle operations are cow-calf or seedstock, and the majority of these operations are small scale, with 55% having fewer than 20 cows.
The idea that raising cattle is a lifestyle choice is not a new one. The USDA put out an article in 2011 showing similar study findings. A more recent study showed cow-calf farming continues to be attractive to many farmers for whom lifestyle is likely a primary motivator of farm decision-making.
With high input, inflation and interest rates, it makes sense that producers are holding on to their operations because they believe in lifestyle. Producers battle weather, drought, fluctuating markets and so much more. In the last five years alone, the U.S. lost 150,569 cattle operations. That’s 17% of our farms and ranches gone.
The article states, “Today’s beef cow-calf operations vary by size, occupation of the primary operator and income. Using these distinctions, researchers identified three categories of farms for the study: rural residence, intermediate and commercial.”
In 2018, about 39% of beef cow-calf farms were rural residence farms – or small family farms earning less than $350,000 a year from farming. Rural residence farms held 23% of the total U.S. beef cow inventory that year. Additionally, 73% were cow-calf only, selling their calves shortly after weaning. These farms rely on off-farm income to cover household and farm expenses.
The article continues, “The U.S. beef cow-calf industry includes many small farms, in terms of gross cash farm income, on which the farm is not the primary source of income for the farm household. This suggests that while farm profitability is likely an important consideration for these farm operators, lifestyle can also be a factor motivating farm decision-making.”
If you’d like to see more on this article, visit the USDA website. Check out the Progressive Cattle beef stats poster for more beef industry statistics.
