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.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Bernt Nelson provides an updated outlook on the current U.S. cattle market.
October 23, 2025 02:20 PM
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Sen. Roger Marshall explains which types of beef are imported into the United States, how there’s room for new imports, and logical reasons for current high prices.
October 23, 2025 12:10 PM
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Record Australian exports and rising U.S. imports reflect continued tight domestic cattle supplies — a reminder that herd recovery remains key to balancing future beef prices.
October 23, 2025 11:56 AM
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U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) discusses the USDA’s new cattle plan, ethanol policy, and the broader challenges ahead for rural America.
October 23, 2025 11:24 AM
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing now to make markets less volatile for ranchers over the long term and more affordable for consumers, according to a press release.
October 22, 2025 04:05 PM
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NCBA CEO Colin Woodall says more conversations need to occur with stakeholders present surrounding President Trump’s proposal to lower consumer beef prices with Argentinian imports.
October 22, 2025 11:53 AM
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Beef industry groups seem to agree — market-based pricing, not federal intervention, best supports rancher livelihoods and long-term beef supply stability.
October 21, 2025 11:22 AM
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Cattle groups say additional imports would offer little relief for consumers but could erode rancher confidence as the industry begins to rebuild herds.
October 21, 2025 11:06 AM
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The new antitrust agreement between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aims to enforce antitrust laws and monitor market activity across the ag sector.
October 17, 2025 12:27 PM
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