Fed Cattle
CattleFax’s Holden Ramey says grass plus profitability equals more cattle — but ongoing drought and volatility are slowing herd rebuilding despite strong price signals.
Linnell cites lower marketings, reduced Mexican feeder flows and drought plus heifer retention as drivers of a tighter market.
Andrew Bredeweg is blending high-tech cattle feeding with community leadership to ensure that young people have a reason to stay in agriculture.
Beef has built a rapidly widening price gap over competing meats in the grocery store. This trend has become increasingly pronounced since the early 2000s, but as beef supplies have tightened over the past three years, the pace of the widening price disparity has accelerated.
U.S. feedlot inventory hits 11.5 million as the closure of Lubbock Feeders signals growing pressure from border disruptions and declining cow herd numbers.
University of Arkansas’ James Mitchell explains the cost of price risk in 2026 could be no different than last fall.
With the lack of rebuilding the strong cattle market could be extended another year.
Family-centered farming operation yields big dividends and rewards for Ohio couple.
University of Kentucky’s Burdine says low domestic cattle inventory, combined with the ban on live cattle imports from Mexico, continue to keep cattle supplies tight.
Brad Kooima discusses the drivers behind current cattle market volatility and how supply shortages are shaping packer strategies.
UNL predicts closure will result in $3.28 billion in annual statewide economic losses. The analysis projects more than 7,000 jobs lost statewide, including 3,212 plant positions, along with significant reductions in labor income and state and local tax revenues.
Cattle producers and industry leaders share their concerns as the calendar advances to 2026.
Terrain’s Dave Weaber says placements of cattle into feedlots will continue to shrink, long-feared beef slaughter capacity reductions have arrived, and the beef cow herd hasn’t begun to expand.
November feedlot placements lowest since at least 1996, marketings down 12%.
The “Big 4" packers are on trial to determine if they suppress cattle bids in a thin cash market, underpay farmers and ranchers, and control what consumers pay for beef.
Analysts agree recent data does not show signs of heifer retention.
The announcement to close the Lexington, Neb., plant and transition to one shift in Amarillo shocked the beef industry. While local impacts will be significant, analysts urge producers to remain calm as the market fundamentals steady following the reaction.
Strong demand supports beef prices amid economic volatility, but herd investment and growth slows as producers grapple with increasing uncertainty due to political noise.
Oklahoma State’s Derrell Peel says the beef industry needs time — not politics or policy — to solve beef supply and demand realities.
Let’s debunk three claims about the beef packing industry.
The legislation has been reintroduced to expand local beef sales and reduce red tape for small meat processors.
Market swings and heavy lifting ahead for cutout values.