USDA’s June meat price forecast projects protein prices climbing higher across the board in the coming years.
World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says that while it was expected for steers, you might be surprised by the strength in other markets like hogs and poultry.
“We raised our hog price forecast by $1.75 per hundredweight to $67.40 per hundredweight... broilers and turkey, again, seeing some price strength there. Broilers in particular, kind of being supported by the strength in beef prices, at least in part. For our broiler price forecast this month, we raised by half a cent a pound. So, now it is at 133.7 cents per pound for 2025. Anticipating continued strength into 2026, we raised our forecast one cent per pound to 135.5 cents per pound, that would be up 1.8 cents year-over-year.”
For steers, the numbers are just climbing higher and higher.
“Our steer price forecast, we raised by $7 per hundredweight. So, we’re now at again another record high, $221.51 per hundredweight for steers for 2025. We expect that to increase further into 2026 or 2026 forecast. We raised by $5.75 per hundredweight to $228.50 per hundredweight.”
Consumer demand for beef has held strong despite the tightening of today’s cattle herd. Some experts are growing weary of just how high those prices are set to climb.
Expect modest relief on several produce lines, mixed protein trends into holiday buying, and softer veg-oil costs — a good week to sharpen forward buys selectively.
November 04, 2025 11:29 AM
·
An import lag for ground beef will likely look different than last year’s egg shortage. The difference comes down to biosecurity and market flexibility.
November 03, 2025 12:07 PM
·
America’s love for burgers depends on open markets. Without lean beef imports, prices would skyrocket, crushing demand and destabilizing the beef industry.
November 01, 2025 09:01 AM
·
Texas A&M livestock economist Dr. David Anderson joins Tony St. James to discuss the geopolitical tensions and U.S.-Mexico border closure that are leading to sharp swings in the cattle market.
October 31, 2025 12:50 PM
·
RFD-TV tax expert Roger McEowen discusses the renewed tax provision and how cattle producers can take advantage of it to recover investments in heifer retention and herd expansion more quickly.
October 30, 2025 01:23 PM
·
Cattle markets are collapsing this week, and analysts say that several factors are at play. Consumer beef prices also remain near all-time highs, threatening long-term demand.
October 29, 2025 12:58 PM
·
The idea of buying more beef from Argentina does not sit well with much of farm country, raising some questions from analysts and producers.
October 28, 2025 01:20 PM
·
Imported lean beef continues to play a critical role in U.S. hamburger and ground-beef production, with any added volume from Argentina serving as a supplement — not a market overhaul.
October 27, 2025 11:51 AM
·
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
October 27, 2025 11:41 AM
·
