Exploring Beef Production in New York 

While apples or corn may be the first that come to mind, cattle and calves are the 4th largest commodity in the state. According to the 2022 USDA Ag Census, in New York cattle and calves brought in $359 million in cash receipts. For comparison, corn, which is New York's 2nd largest commodity, had $366 million in cash receipts. Making cattle and calves a very close competitor, and a large contributor to the economy of the state.

While the cattle industry might not directly impact you, it hugely impacts the lively hood of many families New York. Particularly, 9,993 farms and ranches in NY that have cattle and calves on them, 95% of which are family owned. There are about 1.4 million head of cattle in New York, including 631,199 milking cows and 102,671 beef cows. The average age of these NY farmers are 57, and only about 38% are female. While these are the average reported from the 2022 USDA Ag Census, there is a wide range of people raising a wide range of beef cattle in the state.

Of all the beef farms here, 96% of them have 49 head of cattle or less. With the average herd size being just 16 head. Driving home the fact that these farms are family owned and operated. 

 The beef and dairy cattle industry is just a part of the New York agricultural landscape. Generating thousands of dollars every year and supporting families and their farms. To keep updated with the New York beef industry, subscribe to the New York Beef Council's e-newsletter. If you are interested in learning more about how our producers raise beef, explore more here. Don’t miss the chance to learn more about how beef is raised in other parts of the U.S. as well!

Key Facts About New York's Beef Industry 

• 95% of New York farms are family-owned, reflecting a strong tradition of hands-on, generational care in cattle farming. 
•  There are 1.4 million head of cattle across the state, including: 631,199 milk cows 102,671 beef cows 
•  New York ranks 5th in the nation for dairy production, underlining the state's dual strength in both dairy and beef. 
• The average beef cow herd is 16 head, and 96% of beef farms have between 1 and 49 head, highlighting the importance of small, local operations. 
•  38% of producers are female and the average age of a New York farmer is 57
• There are nearly 10,000 farms and ranches with cattle and calves statewide.
• Cattle and calves generated $359 million in cash receipts in 2022, making them the 4th largest agricultural commodity in New York.