Cattle farming does not come with days off!
We are celebrating National Beef Month with the Illinois Farm Bureau. They introduce us to a farm family as they take us behind the scenes of their working cattle farm, where chores do not wait and the livestock come first, rain or shine.
Related Stories
Strong pork demand and improving beef exports outside China support protein markets despite ongoing trade barriers.
Winter Weather, Drought Shape Early 2026 Farm Conditions
Protein markets are fragmenting. Beef is supply-driven and more structurally expensive, whereas pork and poultry remain price-competitive.
Tight fed supplies shift margin risk to packers, strengthening cattle price leverage but increasing volatility.
Expanding chicken supplies are likely to keep prices under pressure in early 2026 despite steady demand growth.
Reduced winter placements indicate tighter fed cattle supplies and greater leverage during peak-demand months.
