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18 clusters · 40 sources · 74 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS

US beef prices drop; herd at record low, margins tight

Entities: United States Department of Agriculture · U.S. Meat Export Federation · Claudia Sheinbaum · U.S. Department of Agriculture · United States

Overview

Late‑May beef steer prices kept sliding, with the five‑Area negotiated average at $238.59 per cwt, roughly $24 below the recent peak, and the Choice carcass cutout slipping to $371.21 per cwt. The decline, together with higher feed and fuel costs, has pushed many feedlots into negative margins. The forthcoming Cattle‑on‑Feed report is expected to show a large share of cattle have been on feed for 150 days or more, indicating most animals are near market readiness despite a modest overall inventory.

The USDA’s July 2026 cattle inventory report revealed the beef cow herd fell to 28.5 million head, the lowest figure on record since reporting began in 1973, while total cattle and calves stood at 94.2 million. The projected calf crop slipped to 32.5 million head, down 2 % and the smallest on record, though replacement heifers over 500 lb rose 3 % to 3.8 million, hinting at a gradual rebuilding. Tight supplies have kept wholesale and retail beef prices at record levels throughout the year.

Pork markets showed modest gains: the pork cutout rose from $102.21 to $103.50 per cwt, lean‑hog futures advanced, and export sales to Mexico jumped 33 % week‑over‑week to 28,800 metric tons.

USDA also announced a phased reopening of Mexican cattle import ports starting 24 Aug at Douglas, AZ, with full screwworm inspections. The limited short‑term feeder flow is seen as the first step toward easing supply constraints, although analysts expect firm beef pricing to persist into 2027 as herd rebuilding continues.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    US Beef Herd Record Low Fuels Prices, Sparks Mexican Cattle Reopenings

    USDA reports a record‑low beef cow herd of 28.5 M, driving high beef prices, while a phased reopening of Mexican cattle imports starts Aug 24 with screwworm inspections.

  2. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    US Beef Prices Drop Sharply as Seasonal Slump Hits Feedlot Margins

    U.S. beef steer prices fell to $238.59 per cwt, cutting feedlot margins, while pork cutout values rose above $100 and export sales jumped 33% in early July.

  3. 4 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    U.S. Beef Prices Stay High as Pork and Dairy‑Beef Strategies Offer Cheaper Alternatives

    Beef prices remain high in the U.S., prompting a shift to cheaper ground pork and dairy‑beef strategies that boost farmer revenues amid lower milk prices.

  4. 5 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Texas beef shortage pushes brisket prices up, hits BBQ joints and Buc‑ee’s

    A historic U.S. cattle herd decline has driven beef and brisket prices to record highs, closing some Texas BBQ joints and pressuring Buc‑ee’s brisket sandwich, while pitmasters consider alternative cuts.

  5. 11 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    U.S. Fed Cattle Prices Drop to Multi-Month Lows

    Fed cattle prices fell to $248/cwt, the biggest drop in months, while wholesale beef cutouts also declined; USDA expects slightly higher on‑feed numbers and upcoming inventory reports.

  6. 26 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    US beef prices hit record amid drought and wildfires

    US ground beef hits a record $8.62 per pound as drought, wildfires slash cattle supply, raising summer barbecue costs.

  7. 27 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    US beef prices hit record, pushing July 4 grilling costs higher

    US ground beef hit a record $8.62 lb in May 2026, driven by herd shrinkage, feed costs and a screwworm outbreak, raising July 4 barbecue expenses; compare to 1960s prices adjusted for inflation.

  8. 27 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    US beef prices hit record highs as cattle herd reaches 75‑year low

    US beef prices soar to record levels as the cattle herd drops to its lowest point in 75 years due to drought, wildfires and supply limits, prompting consumers to switch to cheaper proteins.

  9. 27 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Beef industry sees strong demand but faces rising prices

    US and UK beef markets show strong demand despite higher prices, with retail spend up in the UK and consumers feeling cost‑of‑living pressure.

  10. 27 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    US meat prices surge ahead of Fourth of July cookouts

    US beef, chicken and pork prices hit record highs as drought, fuel costs and labor shortages tighten supplies, pushing the average Fourth of July cookout cost to $73.82 for ten people.

  11. 29 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    U.S. Tight Cattle Supply Drives Record Beef Prices Amid Global Market Shifts

    U.S. cattle supplies are at historic lows, driving record beef prices while global markets see steep price gaps; Australian beef remains competitive despite rising tariffs in China and South Korea.

  12. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Washington Grilling Decline as Beef Prices Spike

    Rising beef prices—up 14% and hitting $9.64/lb—are cutting burger grilling in Washington, prompting shoppers to turn to chicken, turkey, fish, pork and other alternatives.

  13. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    US livestock markets stall as pork rally falters and beef plant closure looms

    US pork futures lack a summer rally and beef prices stay flat as JBS plans to close its Pennsylvania plant, affecting supply dynamics and future production.

  14. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    US Beef and Pork Markets Face Seasonal Challenges

    US beef and pork markets show modest seasonal shifts: beef cutout steady at $392.85, pork cutout briefly above $100, slight declines in harvests, and a World screwworm case noted.

  15. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    US meat prices surge as beef hits record and consumption stays high

    US meat consumption stays strong while beef hits a record $9.64/lb and pork rises; tight cattle supplies and inflation push prices up, with new pest concerns and Bill Gates' farm investments noted.

  16. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    U.S. Beef Prices Reach Record Highs Amid Shrinking Cattle Herd

    U.S. beef prices hit record highs as the cattle herd shrinks to its smallest size since 1951, driven by drought, high demand and rising production costs.

  17. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    US DOJ Antitrust Actions Target Tyson, JBS, Cargill and Others in Meatpacking Industry

    DOJ approves Tyson $47 M settlement, probes JBS, Cargill, and forces Agri Stats data overhaul amid low cattle supplies.

  18. 3 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Tyson Foods CFO warns spotty cattle herd rebuild keeps US beef prices high

    Tyson Foods CFO says uneven cattle herd rebuild leaves US beef supplies tight and prices high as Trump eyes tariff cuts.

Sources

abc17news.com · ahdb.org.uk · best-met.com · braforalivet.se · brownfieldagnews.com · cattlebusinessweekly.com · checkout.ie · chowhound.com · cowboystatedaily.com · dis-blog.thalesgroup.com · esmmagazine.com · europesays.com · gmp.com.br · grocerycouponguide.com · informationgovernance.com · kfgo.com · manchestereveningnews.co.uk · memesita.com · midwestfarmreport.com · nemosnewsnetwork.com · newstalkkit.com · oklahomafarmreport.com · ourvalleyvoice.com · perishablenews.com · piratesandprincesses.net · q106.com · san.com · texasstandard.org · thebeefsite.com · thecattlesite.com · thecooldown.com · thedailybell.com · thefarmec.com · theland.com.au · thepigsite.com · thepoultrysite.com · thesheffieldpress.com · wgan.com · wixx.com · wylr.net

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history