Ag economists are closely watching the cattle markets in the coming weeks. They are starting to notice signs that prices could soon shift.
“Quite a few people are nervous that some of the consumer and macro-economic signals are starting to decline, and that could impact meat prices. There’s also a concern about the international markets. This week, the headline was about the Chinese government not renewing a license for U.S. meat export facilities and what that could mean for meat prices,” said Ben Brown.
Brown says demographics play a role, too. He is seeing a shift and says producers are taking advantage of high cattle prices.
“I would also say we are seeing some shifts in demographics. That’s playing out in the data. Producers are choosing this as an opportunity to sell out, take advantage of high cattle prices, and sell out. You know, those cows are going down the road to a different operation. Well, I take that back. A lot of the cows are ending up in processing facilities.”
Brown says drought has also been a concern over the last year, leading to fewer grain-consuming animals. While a lot of different fators are at play right now, he says he is staying focused on market trends.
Smaller cow numbers and a declining calf crop point to prolonged tight cattle supplies, limiting near-term herd rebuilding potential.
January 30, 2026 03:42 PM
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Quinn Rutt of Upstream Ranch previews the Nebraska cattle operation’s 49th Annual Production Sale where buyers can expect standout sire groups and a blend of long-standing ranch practices with modern genetic selection.
January 30, 2026 03:23 PM
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CattleCon 2026 officially kicks off Tuesday and continues through Thursday, bringing producers together to shape the future of the U.S. cattle industry.
January 30, 2026 01:30 PM
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The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.
January 30, 2026 12:51 PM
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Record milk output looks strong today, but shrinking replacement numbers mean future supply adjustments could be faster and more volatile.
January 30, 2026 11:44 AM
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A rapidly intensifying winter storm is expected to develop into a bomb cyclone this weekend, affecting the Southeast, southern Virginia, and potentially parts of the mid‑Atlantic and New England.
January 30, 2026 10:52 AM
