Americans are tightening grocery budgets as food costs stay high.
Circana data shows beef is holding strong, making up more than half of fresh meat sales, which is good news for cattle producers.
Meanwhile, plant-based alternatives are starting to lose ground. In-store branded products are on the rise as shoppers hunt for deals and value.
People are shopping more often but buying less each trip, and many are blending grocery runs with dining out while trying to cut food waste.
Beef demand at the grocery store is not just showing up on the shelves.
Cull cow prices are hitting record highs as tight cattle supplies and strong ground beef demand push markets higher.
The National price for 85% lean cull cow topped $300 per hundred pounds last week.
USDA reports retail ground beef prices also hit record levels in June.
Higher U.S. tariffs on Brazilian beef could mean fewer imports, which helps support domestic cull cow prices.
Producers could now have a choice: sell now or hold cows for next year’s calves. If more cows are slaughtered, it could slow herd rebuilding into 2026.
The USDA NASS report also confirms lower August placements.
September 19, 2025 03:36 PM
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All eyes will be on today’s Cattle on Feed Report, which analysts say could give a clearer picture of where the market goes next.
September 19, 2025 01:01 PM
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Now the Senate must pass a version of the spending bill before the Sept. 30 deadline.
September 19, 2025 11:43 AM
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Corn and beef exports showed strong momentum, cotton sales surged, and soybean sales held steady, though China remains absent from the U.S. market.
September 18, 2025 04:43 PM
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California rancher and former NCBA President Kevin Kester joined House Republicans on Tuesday to tout provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill that support family ranches.
September 17, 2025 01:40 PM
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Producers may need to prepare for margin pressure in livestock feeding, while dairy farmers could benefit from stronger product demand.
September 16, 2025 12:42 PM
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U.S. trade talks with China resume, but meat industry leaders say dealing with shifting demand and market uncertainty is nothing new in this side of the ag sector.
September 15, 2025 12:57 PM
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The Interior Department is proposing to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule. This move would make huge strides to empower local decision-making and restore balance between conservation and protecting rural livelihoods tied to these public lands.
September 10, 2025 02:45 PM
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Co-Bank Lead Dairy Economist, Corey Geiger, joined us on Friday’s
Market Day Report for a further look at the drop in replacement heifers and the trend’s longterm impact on dairy producers and cattle prices.
September 05, 2025 12:40 PM
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