A recent USDA GAIN report has highlighted a distinct trend in dairy and beef cow herd numbers between Western and Central Europe. Western Europe is witnessing a decline in cow numbers due to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which favors small cattle farmers in Central Europe. Poland, in particular, is experiencing a boost in its cattle farming sector, with a growing dairy herd and a thriving beef sector, thanks to increased demand and imports of cattle from neighboring countries. There's a noticeable shift towards beef production in Central Europe due to dairy farming's higher intensity, with Romania and the Balkan countries (Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece) seeing an uptick in beef cow numbers. The report also underscores the sector's tendency towards commercialization and efficiency improvement.