Five beef producers share their highlights from Nashville.

As carcass weights hit new highs, experts warn that efficiency gains bring unintended welfare risks in transport, feedlots and packing plants — and call for targeted investments, better infrastructure and data‑driven management of every animal.

Pattern recognition with artificial intelligence is helping cattle operations notice changes in cattle health, management and economics earlier.

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says after crashing Thursday on fears of a beef plant strike, cattle are recovering on higher cash.

Tight cattle supplies, delayed herd rebuilding and resilient beef demand point to continued market strength, with economists saying higher cattle price highs in 2026 are still on the table.

2026 is not the year the cattle cycle “fixes itself.” It is the year the industry learns how to ration a smaller supply base without blowing itself up.