Kentucky is the largest beef cattle state east of the Mississippi River

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 5, 2026) –  Kentucky cattle producers and industry representatives joined Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell Monday as he signed a proclamation commemorating the month of May as Kentucky Beef Month.

 “Through the hard work of our cattle farmers, Kentucky retains its distinction as the state with the largest beef inventory east of the Mississippi River with 862,000 head,” Commissioner Shell said. “I join Kentuckians in recognizing the effort, diligence, and perseverance of this important agricultural sector as we celebrate May as Kentucky Beef Month.”

The United States is the world's second largest producer of beef, primarily high-quality, grain-fed beef. Kentucky ranks 14th nationally for total cattle inventory with 1.82 million head and 10th in the nation for beef cattle. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kentucky is home to 31,060 beef cattle producers of the 69,400 total farms in the state.

"Behind every flavorful bite is a story of care and commitment,” said Kelly Baird, Kentucky Beef Council Director of Communications and Events. “This May, we’re celebrating that delicious product and the people who bring it to our tables. What better way to celebrate our beef producers than behind the grill, explore recipes, cooking tips, and what raising beef looks like in Kentucky at kybeef.com.”

January 2026 numbers for all cattle inventory are down slightly from 2025, matching what’s happening nationally. The U.S. beef cattle reached a 64-year low in 2025. Several factors including low calf prices, high costs, and drought across the county played a role in the declining inventory.

In contrast the lower number of beef cattle has created a higher market demand and driven up the sale prices for farmers. The tight national cattle supply and higher market prices will likely contribute to higher agricultural receipts for the state. The final agricultural cash receipts for 2024, the latest available, show the cattle and calves sector brought in $1.5 billion, ranking it first for Kentucky commodities.

Cattle prices are expected to remain strong and potentially peak, following a year of high demand in 2025. Tight supplies and strong demand drove the market for much of 2025 with Kentucky cattle prices up 20-30 percent from the previous year. It’s predicted Kentucky’s anticipated strong livestock sector could help maintain overall cash receipts above $8 billion for 2025 with estimates of a record $8.5 billion for 2026.

The top five Kentucky counties for number of beef cattle are:

    Barren

    Pulaski

    Madison

    Breckinridge

    Warren