LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD NEWS) — Tight beef supplies and rural job losses are colliding with a major shift inside the U.S. dairy sector, creating new momentum for farmer-led solutions to expand domestic production of ground beef. Western United Dairies says its “Make America More Ground Beef” proposal reflects changing market realities — particularly excess milk and record dairy cow numbers driven by protein demand.
According to CoBank analysis by Corey Geiger, U.S. dairy farmers have responded aggressively to market incentives. Butterfat production has surged 5 percent to 6 percent year over year, pushing the national milkfat average near 4.3 percent and creating an oversupply. At the same time, massive investment in protein-focused dairy processing — including cheese, whey, ultra-filtered milk, and yogurt — is reshaping milk checks, with protein poised to be the dominant revenue driver for years to come.
That protein focus has kept dairy cow numbers at 30-year highs, now near 9.6 million head, and is supported by strong demand for beef-on-dairy calves. Geiger suggests we may begin to see dairy farmers cull cows, thereby providing an influx of lean ground beef.
Western United Dairies argues that the USDA can use existing authority to better align these trends, increasing domestic beef throughput without new legislation or imports while keeping packing plants open.
Currently, processors import lean beef trimmings to mix into ground beef to meet the domestic demand.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Record yields are cushioning production declines, but softer prices underscore the importance of cost control and market timing for vegetable growers.
December 28, 2025 08:00 AM
·
Cuba remains a small but dependable, cash-only outlet for U.S. grain and food products.
December 27, 2025 03:00 PM
·
Expanding cheese exports are strengthening U.S. milk demand and reinforcing global competitiveness.
December 27, 2025 07:00 AM
·
Strong global demand and falling stocks suggest continued price volatility for U.S. coffee buyers despite record world production.
December 26, 2025 03:00 PM
·
U.S. dairy producers remain the primary growth engine globally, while tightening supplies in Europe and New Zealand could support export demand for American dairy products.
December 26, 2025 12:00 PM
·
Fewer acres and stronger prices suggest disciplined hop production is supporting market balance despite lower output.
December 25, 2025 06:00 PM
·
Benchmark machinery costs against those of similar-sized, high-performing operations to inform equipment and investment decisions.
December 25, 2025 12:00 PM
·
Record pace corn exports are helping stabilize prices despite softer global grain production and ongoing supply competition.
December 25, 2025 06:00 AM
·
Broader export demand helps stabilize prices and supports stronger marketing opportunities over time.
December 24, 2025 03:00 PM
·
