LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD NEWS) — Cull cow and bull prices remain near record levels early in 2026 as tighter supplies and strong grinding demand support the market, according to Dr. David Anderson with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Southern Plains auction prices for 85–90 percent lean cows have risen about $3 per hundredweight since January to roughly $167, while the national average for cutter cows is up about $13. The cow beef cutout has also climbed steadily, reaching about $331 per hundredweight in early March. Across the South, breaker cows have posted strong values, including recent March starts near $162 in Mississippi, $164 in Kentucky, and $174 in Georgia.
Bull markets have strengthened even more. Yield grade 1 cull bulls surpassed $200 per hundredweight in February at auctions in Mississippi and Georgia, running roughly $30 higher than a year ago.
Tighter cattle supplies are driving prices higher. Beef cow slaughter is down more than 20 percent so far this year, while dairy cow slaughter is running above last year as herd expansion and lower milk prices influence culling decisions.
Looking ahead, Anderson says seasonal grilling demand and potential summer event-driven consumption could support additional strength in cull cow markets this spring.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Tight supplies continue supporting strong cull values.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
January 15, 2026 11:23 AM
·
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
·
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
·
