LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD NEWS) — Cull cow prices are entering 2026 at historically high levels, and while seasonal patterns suggest a mid-year rally is still possible, gains may be more modest than usual. That outlook comes from Dr. David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension livestock economist, who says tight supplies remain the dominant factor supporting the market.
Cull cow prices typically soften in the fall as slaughter rises, but that pattern largely failed in late 2025. Southern Plains auction prices for 85–90 percent lean cows held near $163 per hundredweight from June through year-end. Nationally, cutter cow prices dipped seasonally but recovered most of those losses by December, even as cow beef cutout values declined more than 9 percent.
Slaughter trends help explain the resilience. Beef cow culling stayed exceptionally low in 2025, down more than 17 percent year over year, reflecting herd rebuilding efforts and a smaller cow inventory. Dairy cow slaughter increased modestly in the second half of the year as the U.S. dairy herd expanded to its largest size since the early 1990s.
Looking ahead, Anderson expects lean beef grinding supplies to remain tight, supporting prices into mid-year. While dairy cow culling could increase if milk prices weaken further, beef cow slaughter is likely to stay limited.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
RFD-TV Farm Legal and Tax Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law dives into a “potpourri” of ag tax and law-related issues in his latest
Firm to Farm blog post.
October 07, 2025 02:56 PM
·
Market analyst Kevin Huddleston said news of trade deals could rebound cotton prices in late fall, and producers need to be ready to strike deals.
October 07, 2025 02:05 PM
·
Key signs of the U.S. beef herd’s recovery are improved pasture conditions, lower feed costs, and increased regulatory alignment and support for producers to implement targeted grazing practices.
October 07, 2025 12:35 PM
·
Congress has just over a month of working days left for the year. Plan for uneven USDA service until funding is restored, and closely monitor Farm Bill talks, as avoiding Permanent Law before January 1 is the single biggest risk to markets and milk prices.
October 07, 2025 11:09 AM
·
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
October 07, 2025 10:55 AM
·
Harvest Builds As Logistics And Input Costs Shape Fall Decisions
October 06, 2025 02:44 PM
·
Jack Daniel’s will end its Cow Feeder Program, which served around 100 livestock operations near the distillery, and redirect spent grains to its anaerobic digester.
October 06, 2025 12:33 PM
·
Prepare for acute UAN risk and a brief urea shock; maintain steady ammonia and phosphate plans, and monitor potash basis on the coasts.
October 06, 2025 11:56 AM
·
Consumer demand for regional food systems is strong, but the challenge lies in scaling production and infrastructure to meet that growing need.
October 03, 2025 02:57 PM
·
