Cow-Calf
Terrain’s Dave Weaber says placements of cattle into feedlots will continue to shrink, long-feared beef slaughter capacity reductions have arrived, and the beef cow herd hasn’t begun to expand.
While the reintroduction of wolves has led to significant challenges for local ranchers, some say they are willing to deal with the animals if they will return to their natural habitat.
In addition to increasing carcass counts, wolves decrease reproduction rates, weaning weights, calf health and human well-being — costs often uncompensated or uncounted.
The Wine Glass Ranch is more than a family operation. It’s a blueprint for the future of sustainable beef production.
The announcement to close the Lexington, Neb., plant and transition to one shift in Amarillo shocked the beef industry. While local impacts will be significant, analysts urge producers to remain calm as the market fundamentals steady following the reaction.
Tight supplies and strong demand have pushed beef prices and producer profitability to historic highs. After peaking in 2025, CattleFax analyst Kevin Good forecasts prices will see a modest correction while fundamentals remain strong.
Strong demand supports beef prices amid economic volatility, but herd investment and growth slows as producers grapple with increasing uncertainty due to political noise.
Leading ag meteorologists share the weather drivers they are watching.
Cattle market fundamentals remain unchanged while psychology shifts the market due to the President’s comments and industry interference.
Oklahoma State’s Derrell Peel says the beef industry needs time — not politics or policy — to solve beef supply and demand realities.