NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV)— U.S. cattle supplies remain historically tight, keeping a firm tone under beef prices into 2026.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) estimates the total herd at about 86.7 million head on Jan. 1, 2025—near 70-year lows—while the July 1 inventory showed only a modest uptick in beef replacement heifers, signaling a slow rebuild at best.
Imports are backfilling the gap: ERS’s mid-year outlook pegged 2025 beef imports near 5.19 billion pounds, with only a slight pullback expected in 2026 as global exportable supplies tighten.
On the fed-cattle side, packers and feeders continue to lean on beef-on-dairy crosses. Industry analysts estimate that these calves could account for roughly a mid-teens share of the fed market (about 3.2 million head in 2024), with a notable presence in Southern High Plains yards—supporting uniform carcass quality and throughput even as native calf supplies remain light.
With constrained beef-cow numbers and a gradual rebuild, price breaks are more likely to come from demand or imports than from a surge in domestic cattle.
Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: Herd rebuilding looks slow, keeping cattle prices supported; beef-on-dairy crosses help fill feedlots, while imports temper—but don’t erase—tightness.
Kate Johnson didn’t set out to become an expert on all things cheese—but today, this
FarmHER is the owner/founder of
The Art of Cheese School where she teaches chefs at every level.
April 20, 2017 10:37 AM
· FarmHER
The Colorado ranch where Elin operates her business just happens to be the same ranch where she spent her summers as a child.
March 08, 2017 01:32 PM
· FarmHER
Growing up as a sixth-generation Iowa FarmHER, Lexi Marek’s first passion is her pigs. She started showing pigs at livestock shows early on at the young age of five.
March 07, 2017 12:30 PM
· FarmHER
Meet RanchHER Renee Strickland of
Strickland Ranch and Exporting. Headquartered in Myakka City, Florida, Strickland and her husband export cattle around the world.
March 01, 2017 05:14 PM
· FarmHER
Ten years ago, FarmHER Jen Welch started a homestead on a single acre in Buena Vista, Colorado. The original idea was to grow food for her growing family.
September 15, 2016 02:25 PM
· FarmHER
Pam Lunn of Tampa, Florida, took an unexpected journey to a life in agriculture
September 08, 2016 10:49 AM
· FarmHER
Our panel will discuss the pros and cons that growers must consider when making last-minute and mid-season fertilizer adjustments.
March 18, 2014 12:12 PM
·
March 18, 2014 12:08 PM
·
