Tyson Foods CFO warns spotty cattle herd rebuild keeps US beef prices high

Chief financial officer Curt Calaway said US cattle producers are making "spotty" and regional efforts to rebuild the nation's herd, leaving supplies tight through 2026‑2027. The limited retention of heifers has helped push beef prices to record levels, now over 16% higher than other grocery staples and a visible sign of persistent inflation for American consumers.

President Donald Trump is weighing executive actions to cut tariffs on beef imports and ease certain regulations to help lower domestic prices. Tyson Foods has already closed a Nebraska beef plant and scaled back operations at a Texas facility, resulting in thousands of layoffs. The administration has also halted Mexican cattle imports to prevent a screwworm parasite. Strong demand, drought‑hit grazing land in the West, and soaring cattle costs have kept beef prices elevated, while Tyson's prepared‑foods division reports commodity inflation in seven of the past eight quarters. CEO Donnie King warned that continued price pressure could push consumers away, underscoring the broader inflation challenge.