The cattle cycle averages 8–12 years, from low point to low point, and it is influenced by the combined effects of cattle prices and input costs that drive cow-calf producer profitability the gestation period for cattle the time needed for raising calves to market weight and climate conditions.

The cattle cycle is a process in which the size of the national cattle herd-including all cattle and calves-increases and decreases over time.

beef cattle industry is often divided into two production sectors: cow-calf producers and cattle feeding. In addition to having the world's largest fed-cattle industry, the United States is also the world's largest consumer of beef-primarily high-value, grain-fed beef.

beef industry is unique when compared with countries like India that produce beef from water buffalo, which are used as dual-purpose animals. With rich agricultural land resources, the United States has developed a beef industry that is largely separate from its dairy sector. In 2022, cattle production is forecast to represent about 17 percent of the $462 billion in total cash receipts for agricultural commodities. Cattle production is the most important agricultural industry in the United States, consistently accounting for the largest share of total cash receipts for agricultural commodities.

Raising bull calves