The U.S. cattle herd has shrunk to its smallest inventory in more than 70 years and rebuilding is going to be no small feat.
With that in mind, one expert has a few ideas on how the industry may be best suited to grow again.
Rabo Research Animal Ag Sustainability Analyst, Charlotte Talbott spoke with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander on where the industry currently stands, what it takes to rebuild, and a possible timeline.
Related Stories
Experts highlight the importance of monitoring insecticide resistance in crops and improving disease traceability at livestock shows through RFID technology.
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.
Verified U.S. data show real leather’s carbon footprint is lower than advertised — an edge for the American cattle industry in both marketing and byproduct value.
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.
Distillers dried grains (DDG) values follow corn and soybean meal trends, with ethanol grind and feed demand shaping costs into early 2026.
Pork producers should prioritize health and productivity gains, hedge feed and hogs selectively, and watch Brazil’s export pace and China’s sow policy for price signals.