Cow-Calf
Terrain’s Dave Weaber says herd expansion remains on hold heading into 2027, with feeder cattle and fed cattle prices expected to hit new highs in Q3 — even as a potential strong El Niño and the Cargill Fort Morgan lockout add fresh uncertainty to the supply picture.
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.
USDA’s annual report reveals the smallest total herd since 1951, with beef cow numbers falling to 27.6 million despite a slight uptick in replacement heifers.
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.
Tight supplies and strong demand have pushed beef prices and producer profitability to historic highs. After peaking in 2025, CattleFax analyst Kevin Good forecasts prices will see a modest correction while fundamentals remain strong.
Strong demand supports beef prices amid economic volatility, but herd investment and growth slows as producers grapple with increasing uncertainty due to political noise.
Leading ag meteorologists share the weather drivers they are watching.
Oklahoma State’s Derrell Peel says the beef industry needs time — not politics or policy — to solve beef supply and demand realities.
Meat Institute report analyzes the state of beef cattle markets and points out current pricing myths.