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Export approval for U.S. plants is a “necessary first step,” but economist John Nalivka cautions that certification doesn’t guarantee big tonnage. The real test comes when China starts placing orders.

From 1,800-lb fed cattle to 52-week cull cow coverage, the USDA’s latest insurance revisions offer livestock producers more flexibility to manage market volatility.

Grain and hog futures were sharply higher on Monday morning as the White House released details of the China trade framework on Sunday which includes $17 billion of ag purchases per year.

As heat stress, drought and shifting forage quality reshape cattle nutrition, mineral programs should be adjusted before performance and health begin to slide.

As producers navigate financial strain and D.C. disconnect, realities such as steep input costs, trade frustrations and E15 limbo are becoming decisive factors shaping the rural vote.

A new study confirms that international red meat demand accounted for over 600 million bushels of grain usage in 2025, significantly increasing the per-bushel value for American corn and soybean farmers.

After more than a year of waiting, China granted 5-year registration extensions to 425 U.S. beef plants and added new approvals. The move follows Trump–Xi talks in China this week, signaling a trade breakthrough.

With Select supplies shrinking and consumer demand locked on higher-quality beef, the traditional Choice-Select spread no longer tells the real market story.

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are back trading higher with their huge discount to the record cash trade. He says cash trade could get even crazier.

As beef prices surge 14% higher than last year’s records, market analysts and cattlemen weigh the impact of shifting demographics and the looming threat of government intervention.