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.
Enforceable origin labels could create clearer premiums for U.S. cattle and address concerns some producers have had with competition from foreign imported beef.
November 12, 2025 12:39 PM
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Lucia Ruano, USMEF’s Central America representative, discusses what is driving demand for U.S. beef and pork in the region.
November 11, 2025 01:30 PM
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Tyson expects another year of beef-segment losses due to tight cattle supplies, even as chicken, pork, and prepared foods strengthen overall margins.
November 11, 2025 01:26 PM
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The DOJ’s new antitrust probe could reshape beef-packer behavior, with potential impacts on fed-cattle prices, processor margins, and long-term competition across the supply chain.
November 10, 2025 10:35 AM
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Tight cattle supplies keep prices high for ranchers, but policy shifts, export barriers, and packer losses signal a volatile road ahead for the beef supply chain.
November 07, 2025 11:02 AM
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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
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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
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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
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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
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