How Many Cows Are In Wyoming?

Wyoming may seem like an endless expanse of wide open ranges and rolling prairie lands, dotted with cattle peacefully grazing. For a state that embodies the spirit of the American West, cattle ranching plays an integral role.

So if you’ve ever wondered exactly how many cows call the Cowboy State home, read on to learn more.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: There are approximately 1.3 million cows in Wyoming as of 2023.

The Importance of the Cattle Industry in Wyoming

Wyoming’s Long History of Cattle Ranching

Cattle ranching has been an integral part of Wyoming’s culture and economy since the mid-1800s. After the Civil War, the demand for beef skyrocketed as the nation recovered and expanded westward. Wyoming’s vast rangelands offered plentiful grasslands ideal for raising cattle.

Ranchers began driving large herds of cattle along trails like the Chisholm Trail and bringing them to stockyards in Cheyenne and other Wyoming towns. By the 1880s, Wyoming became known for its thriving cattle industry and cowboy culture.

Many famous ranches like the JA Ranch near Laramie helped establish Wyoming as a major hub for cattle ranching. Generations of ranch families have worked the land, preserving Wyoming’s cowboy heritage.

Even today, ranching remains a cherished way of life that shapes local communities across the state. From cattle drives to rodeos, Wyoming’s cattle culture is deeply rooted in history and tradition.

Economic Impact and Cattle Statistics

With around 1.3 million head of cattle as of 2022, cattle ranching continues to be a major economic driver in Wyoming. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cattle sales accounted for $850 million of Wyoming’s annual agricultural cash receipts in 2020.

Beef cattle represent 85% of the total value of Wyoming’s agricultural products sold.

Wyoming ranks 8th among U.S. states in terms of beef cow inventory, with around 800,000 beef cows as of 2022. To put that in perspective, if you lined up all of Wyoming’s cows nose to tail, they would stretch for over 1,500 miles! Here are some other interesting Wyoming cattle statistics:

• There are over 11,000 cattle operations across the state.
• The average beef cattle herd size is around 100 head of cattle.
• Wyoming produces 12-15% of U.S. feeder cattle each year.
• Calving rates are around 75-80 calves per 100 cows every spring.

With ideal grazing lands and weather conditions, Wyoming will likely remain among the top cattle producing states for years to come. Cattle ranchers take great pride in raising high quality, grass-fed beef.

Cattle Ranching Practices in Wyoming

Most Wyoming cattle ranches utilize grazing allotments on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. During winter months, ranchers supplement grazing with hay produced on private lands.

Modern practices emphasize sustainable grazing management to avoid overgrazing.

Calving usually occurs from February to May each year. Ranchers carefully manage their cow-calf operations to ensure healthy newborn calves. Weaning typically happens in the fall when calves are 6-8 months old.

Once weaned, calves may be sold at regional livestock auctions or retained as replacement heifers or feeder steers. Feeder cattle then go to feedlots for additional finishing on grain before processing.

To maintain the productivity of their herds, ranchers selectively breed cattle through artificial insemination or by maintaining their own herd bulls. Most cattle in Wyoming are Angus, Hereford, or crosses of these British breeds selected for their hardiness in harsh winters.

Brand inspection and animal traceability systems help minimize cattle theft and track livestock disease outbreaks. The Wyoming Livestock Board oversees brand registrations and inspections. While heavily intertwined with public lands, Wyoming’s beef industry could not survive without generations of cattle ranchers who steward both the land and their livestock.

Tracking Wyoming’s Cattle Population

USDA Cattle Inventory Reports

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts an annual Cattle Inventory report to track cattle populations in each U.S. state. This report provides a snapshot of the number of cattle and calves in Wyoming at the start of each calendar year.

The data is collected through surveys of producers and compiled into state and national estimates.

According to the latest 2021 Cattle Inventory report, there were 1.3 million head of cattle and calves in Wyoming as of January 1, 2021. This was a slight increase from 1.28 million head in 2020. Wyoming accounted for 3.2% of the total U.S. cattle and calves population of 94.4 million head.

Volume and Value of Cattle in Wyoming

In addition to the inventory numbers, the USDA report provides details on the makeup of Wyoming’s cattle herd. Of the 1.3 million head of cattle in 2021, there were:

• 890,000 beef cows (up 2% from 2020)
• 50,000 milk cows (unchanged from 2020)
• 360,000 cattle on feed for slaughter (down 3% from 2020)

The value of Wyoming’s cattle industry is also substantial. According to the USDA’s state agriculture overview, Wyoming produced $1.37 billion worth of cattle and calves in 2020. This made up nearly 28% of the total agricultural market value for the state.

Trends and Fluctuations in Cattle Numbers

Wyoming’s cattle inventory has remained relatively steady in recent years, fluctuating between 1.2 and 1.3 million head annually. However, there are some notable trends shaping the cattle population over the long term.

Beef cow numbers have risen gradually as producers expand herds. The 2021 inventory of 890,000 beef cows was the highest since 2008. In contrast, dairy cow numbers have declined significantly, dropping by over 40% in the past decade.

This reflects broader industry trends as dairy operations consolidate and transition to larger commercial farms.

For cattle feedlots, inventories can vary considerably from year to year depending on market conditions. The cyclical nature of feeder cattle supplies and beef demand makes forecasting difficult. However, Wyoming remains one of the top ten cattle feeding states based on capacity.

Looking ahead, fluctuations in cattle inventories are expected due to factors like forage availability, grain/feed costs, and beef prices. But the cow-calf segment will continue driving Wyoming’s cattle industry thanks to the state’s abundant rangeland resources.

Factors Influencing Wyoming’s Cattle Population

Weather and Climate Conditions

Wyoming’s weather and climate have a major impact on the size and health of the state’s cattle herds. Long, cold winters with heavy snowfall can stress cattle and require ranchers to provide additional feed and shelter.

Dry conditions and drought years also reduce the amount of grazing pasture available. Mild winters and adequate rainfall leading to good grass growth allow herds to thrive and ranchers to maintain higher numbers of cattle.

Climate change leading to reduced snowpack and hotter, drier summers may put increasing pressure on cattle populations in the future.

Availability of Pastureland and Grazing Rights

With its wide open spaces, Wyoming has significant amounts of pastureland and rangeland suitable for grazing cattle. However, much of this land is on public lands administered by federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.

Ranchers must have grazing allotments or leases to run cattle on these public lands. The amount of pastureland available to ranchers depends on the number and size of these grazing allotments. If allotments are reduced due to factors like drought, overgrazing, or wildlife habitat protection, the carrying capacity for cattle is lowered.

Cattle Prices and Market Forces

Like any business, cattle ranching responds to market forces of supply and demand. When beef prices are high and profit margins are favorable, ranchers are incentivized to maintain larger herds to increase production.

When beef prices drop or input costs like feed and fuel rise, profitability declines. Ranchers may reduce herd sizes to cut costs until conditions improve. Major shifts in consumer demand for beef or export markets can influence long-term trends in herd sizes.

For example, growing global demand for beef currently supports high prices and herd expansion.

Disease Outbreaks and Animal Health

Disease outbreaks such as foot-and-mouth disease or mad cow disease can devastate cattle herds if not contained. Wyoming’s mandatory brand inspection program helps track cattle movement to control disease outbreaks.

Treatments for parasites like lice or worms as well as vaccination programs help ensure animal health. However, a major disease epidemic could still force ranchers to quarantine and cull large numbers of cattle to prevent spread.

Loss of cattle combined with impacts on beef demand and closed export markets would significantly reduce Wyoming’s cattle population.

Major Cattle Producing Regions in Wyoming

Southwest Wyoming and Upper Green River Basin

The southwest region of Wyoming, including Sweetwater and Uinta counties, is home to vast rangelands and a significant number of beef cattle operations. According to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, Sweetwater County had over 73,000 head of cattle, while neighboring Uinta County had over 155,000 head.

These numbers demonstrate the importance of cattle production to the local agricultural economy. The mild winters and plentiful summer rains allow cattle to graze on native range grasses for much of the year.

Some of the major cattle ranches in operation for generations include the huge Deseret and TS ranches. Additionally, the Upper Green River Basin provides excellent grazing during the summer months, supporting many cattle that winter in other parts of the state.

Southeast Wyoming

The southeast corner of Wyoming is also prime cattle country, with its rolling plains and abundant grass. Laramie and Goshen counties boast sizable cow-calf operations, backgrounding feedlots, and stocker operations.

In 2017, Goshen County reported over 91,000 head of cattle, while Laramie County had over 77,000, illustrating the dominance of beef cattle in the regional economy. Ranches rely heavily on grazing permits on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

During winter, most ranchers provide cattle hay and supplement to sustain their herds until summer grasses green up. The milder climate compared to more northerly counties enables longer grazing seasons, lower feed costs, and generally higher profit margins for ranches in southeast Wyoming.

Northwest Wyoming

The mountain valleys and high plains of northwest Wyoming support fewer cattle than other regions, but still play an important role. In the Big Horn Basin, cattle graze on both private and public land during summer and rely on hay and supplement during the long winters.

According to 2017 statistics, Big Horn County had around 94,000 cattle. To the west, Park County had almost 68,000 head of cattle that year. Most operations run cow-calf pairs and sell calves each fall. Some progressive ranchers have diversified into niche or value-added markets like grass-fed beef.

Public lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management provide summer and transitional range for cattle from both small family and larger livestock companies.

Northeast Wyoming

Northeast Wyoming has a relatively short growing season, cold winters, and less reliable precipitation than other parts of the state. However, areas like Crook County still maintain significant cattle numbers. The 2017 agricultural census reported over 155,000 head of cattle in Crook County.

Most operations run yearling cattle on grass in the summer and early fall. Since the climate makes winter grazing difficult, cattle rely heavily on hay and supplement during the long winter. Progressive ranchers carefully manage grazing rotations and control the timing of grazing to avoid overgrazing fragile rangelands.

Recent drought years have significantly impacted forage production and herd sizes. Going forward, innovative water development projects may help support cattle numbers in this region. Due to topography and climate, northeast Wyoming will likely focus more on cow-calf production rather than backgrounding cattle.

The Future of Cattle Ranching in Wyoming

Challenges Facing the Industry

Cattle ranching in Wyoming faces various challenges that could impact the future of the industry. Key issues include prolonged droughts and water shortages, leading to a lack of adequate grazing land and rising costs of feed (“Wyoming Ranchers Face Challenges from Drought, Land Access, Economics” – source).

Extreme weather events like wildfires are also concerning. Shifting consumer preferences toward more plant-based diets may reduce beef demand. And land access limits due to policies or competing land uses put pressures on available grazing acreage.

Innovations in Ranching Practices

In light of these obstacles, Wyoming cattle ranchers are adopting new, sustainable ranching techniques. Many are implementing planned rotational grazing systems to better manage pastureland. New technologies like virtual fencing, GPS tracking of cattle, and drought-resistant forage crops are gaining traction.

Ranchers are also exploring diversification options – adding free-range chickens, farm stays, hunting access services or on-site meat processing. These innovative solutions help ranchers boost efficiency, conserve resources and satisfy consumer preferences for sustainably raised beef.

Outlook for Cattle Numbers and Beef Production

As of 2022, beef cattle inventory in Wyoming stood at 1.3 million head, down 5% over the past decade (USDA data). However, calf prices have rallied recently, incentivizing ranchers to rebuild herds when weather and land availability allow.

Looking ahead, most experts predict Wyoming’s beef production will remain viable but face some declines due to water constraints. One 2017 study forecasted a 1.7 to 14% drop in the state’s cattle numbers by 2065.

Yet other estimates are more optimistic – the USDA and Wyoming Business Council both project a steady cattle herd size through 2027. Agility and innovation will remain key for ranchers aiming to overcome adversities and meet future beef demand.

Conclusion

As a mainstay of Wyoming’s culture and economy for well over a century, cattle ranching continues to shape the state’s landscape and communities. While cattle numbers fluctuate year to year due to various factors, Wyoming remains home to around 1.3 million cows grazing its vast rangelands.

The cattle industry looks towards innovation and resilience to maintain its vital role into the future. Understanding the key details and data around Wyoming’s cows provides insight into this iconic part of the Cowboy State.