The latest USDA cattle report shows a rapid expansion is underway with cattle and calf numbers up 3 percent and beef cow numbers up 4 percent in the past year. According to Purdue University Extension economist Chris Hurt, record-high cattle prices in the last half of 2014 and first half of 2015 raised excitement among beef cow producers.

Since the 2011 meltdowns ended their future as prized black “wagyu” beef, a rancher near the Fukushima nuclear power plant has given his cattle a new mission: They’ve become protesters.

The Canadian cattle herd has increased 0.3% in the past year to nearly 12 million head.

The price for uncooked beef steaks has come down recently, helping earnings at restaurant chains such as Texas Roadhouse Inc.

Cattle prices have dropped more than 32% during the last 16 months, but beef prices haven’t seen the same dramatic decline.

“Where’s the beef?” The catchy slogan could be updated to “Where’s the fresh, quality beef?” And the answer would still be the same: Wendy’s.