Looking back, 2024 was mostly a continuation of the story that has been developing since 2022. Tight supplies of cattle pushed cattle and beef prices higher to new record levels during the year.

Commercial red meat production was down during November 2024. The USDA says the monthly total of 4.564 billion pounds was 3% ...

USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter at 119,000 head on Thursday, taking the weekly total to 275,000 head. That is down 66,506 head from the same week last year. Dec 24 Live ...

USDA estimated last week’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 609,000 head. That is 5,000 head below the previous week and down 38,172 from the same week last year. Dec 24 Live Cattle ...

Factors like drought, high supply chain costs and declining consumer appetite for beef contribute to the declining herd size.

Multiple ranchers reported that they were missing 20, 40 or more cattle. AMERICAN RANCHERS BLAME DROUGHT FOR HIGHER MEAT PRICES AT GROCERY STORES While cattle can go missing due to predation while ...