Published May 11, 2026, 6:00 AM ET · Updated 6 months ago · 1 source
The unexpected force keeping beef prices high and why the pressure could last for years
foxbiz
·
Original Report
INFERY
Beef prices are expected to remain high for years due to the U.S. cattle herd shrinking to a 75-year low. Years of drought, increased feed costs, and an aging rancher workforce have forced producers to reduce herd sizes. Rebuilding the herd will take several years, with experts noting that it takes approximately two years to bring cattle to market and additional years to replenish breeding stock.