Live Cattle rose to 235.10 USd/Lbs on March 26, 2026, up 0.29% from the previous day. Over the past month, Live Cattle's price has risen 1.24%, and is up 12.03% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Live Cattle - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2026.

After years of drought-driven herd liquidation and surging input costs, the US beef cattle production industry is operating with its smallest cow herd in six decades. Beef cow numbers fell to 27.6 million head in January 2026, tightening supplies and pushing fed steer prices toward a forecast $240.00 per hundredweight. Tight domestic inventories, disease-related trade disruptions on the US-Mexico border and rising export competition from Brazil have reshaped trade flows while domestic demand has stayed resilient despite health and sustainability concerns. Revenue has been expanding at a CAGR of 4.8% over the past five years and is expected to reach $98.6 billion in 2026, when revenue will rise by an estimated 0.8%. The defining industry trend is that historically high cattle prices haven’t translated into commensurate profit gains. Ranchers face sharply higher feed, fuel and labor costs, while packer consolidation has left four meatpacking giants controlling most fed-cattle processing capacity and exerting pricing leverage. Earnings have gradually narrowed as producers absorb more volatility and pay more for risk management, technology and compliance with emerging sustainability expectations. At the same time, consumer pressures are fragmenting demand: some buyers are trading down to poultry or plant-based proteins on health or cost grounds, while others are paying premiums for grass-fed, organic or “Product of USA” beef. These crosscurrents are rewarding producers with scale, capital and access to premium programs, and they’re squeezing smaller family operations that dominate the industry numerically but lack bargaining power. Over the next five years, the industry will be defined by a slow, uneven herd rebuild and strong but more selective demand. Replacement heifer retention is edging higher, yet meaningful production growth isn’t expected until late in the period, keeping supplies relatively tight while feedlots and packers wrestle with underused plants and regional bottlenecks. Updated federal dietary guidelines that emphasize higher protein intake, coupled with protein-focused GLP-1 users, should support beef demand even as public health groups urge caution on red meat. Trade friction with China, ongoing screwworm risks at the southern border and escalating sustainability mandates will add uncertainty. Revenue is forecast to fall at a CAGR of 0.9%, reaching $94.4 billion in 2031.

Feeder Cattle rose to 361.95 USd/Lbs on March 27, 2026, up 1.94% from the previous day. Over the past month, Feeder Cattle's price has risen 1.31%, and is up 26.21% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Feeder Cattle - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2026.

Learn about the various factors that impact beef cattle prices, including supply and demand, production costs, weather, and market competition, and how they have fluctuated over recent years. Also, discover the average prices reported by the USDA and the influence of international trade on domestic beef cattle prices.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Farm Products: Slaughter Cattle (WPU0131) from Jan 1947 to Feb 2026 about cattle, slaughter, livestock, agriculture, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

This table contains 8 series, with data for years 1930 - 1990 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and is no longer being released. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (4 items: Montreal;Toronto;Winnipeg;Calgary); Type of livestock (4 items: Slaughter steers, good;Slaughter cows, good;Feeder steers, good;Calves veal, good and choice).

Argentina Average Live Cattle Price: Cow data was reported at 2,629.187 ARS/kg in Jan 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,589.862 ARS/kg for Dec 2025. Argentina Average Live Cattle Price: Cow data is updated monthly, averaging 5.270 ARS/kg from Jun 1995 (Median) to Jan 2026, with 368 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,705.886 ARS/kg in Nov 2025 and a record low of 0.412 ARS/kg in Jun 1996. Argentina Average Live Cattle Price: Cow data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Liniers Cattle Market. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Argentina – Table AR.P: Liniers Cattle Market Prices.

Beef rose to 355.55 BRL/15KG on March 26, 2026, up 0.25% from the previous day. Over the past month, Beef's price has risen 0.68%, and is up 12.32% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Beef - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2026.

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Cattle Farm Price Received. from United States. Source: US Department of Agriculture. Track economic dat…

Graph and download economic data for Wholesale Price of Cattle for Chicago, IL (M04007US16980M287NNBR) from Jan 1858 to Dec 1940 about cattle, medium, livestock, Chicago, wholesale, IL, price, and USA.

High prices have consistently elevated revenues for Canadian cattle producers over the current period, but also discouraged herd rebuilding and drained cattle supplies. Cattle prices have surged due to reduced herds in North America, influenced by persistent droughts impeding effective herd rebuilding. Although producers are generally inclined to rebuild, the volatility of high prices, along with the unpredictability of future drought impacts, has discouraged extensive retention practices. Profit has also been pressured by elevated input costs, particularly feed, but extreme cattle prices have allowed profit to recover and expand since its low in 2022. Compounding these challenges is the difficulty in passing increased costs onto consumers, who have shown a growing propensity to switch to alternative proteins. This, combined with the inherent volatility in agricultural outputs due to extreme weather events, continues to strain the financial health of producers despite elevated cattle prices. Overall, revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 7.6% since 2021, to reach an estimated $26.2 billion in 2025 as beef prices remain on the rise. Consumer behaviour around beef is being reshaped by health perceptions and sustainability concerns, as well as high beef prices. Persistent health advisories recommending reduced red meat consumption influence both domestic and global market demands, pushing consumers towards substitute proteins. Awareness around sustainability is intensifying interest in plant-based alternatives as environmentally friendly consumption gains traction. While inflation has moderated overall, beef prices continue to rise in response to supply-related constraints, making the protein more costly and steering some consumers toward more affordable options like pork and poultry. Industry associations and producers are focusing on marketing beef’s value, quality and affordability to retain consumer interest amid these shifts. The future outlook for the cattle industry will be strongly influenced by red meat prices, which will see initial short-term price increases and then are expected to ease over time, ultimately resulting in higher price levels in 2030 compared to 2025. These trends are driven by supply constraints and shifting global demands, while herd rebuilding efforts will gradually moderate the huge price increases of the current period. Concurrently, sustained pressures from consumer sustainability concerns are likely to continue spurring interest in alternative proteins, propelling producers toward adopting emission-reducing production methods. Nonetheless, rising disposable incomes, especially in emerging beef export markets, present opportunities for Canadian producers by increasing demand for premium beef products. Expanding into new markets will be particularly important for beef producers and the cattle farmers supplying them as US-Canada trade tensions and tariffs shake the stability of this major buyer. Additionally, anticipated global population growth will support heightened protein demand overall. Revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 0.7% to reach $27.1 billion in 2031.

Value per head of livestock at July 1, Canada and provinces (in dollars). Data are available on an annual basis.

This table contains 2 series, with data for years 1976 - 2010 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and is no longer being released. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 item: Canada); Price of steers (2 items: Toronto A1 and A2 steers;Alberta steers).

Learn about the various factors that affect the market price of beef cattle such as supply and demand, processing costs, input costs, weather conditions, and government policies. Stay updated on market trends before buying or selling cattle.

The retail price of 100% ground beef in the United States has risen significantly in the last two decades. In 2025, a pound of ground beef cost **** U.S. dollars, up from **** U.S. dollars in 2008. Cattle and beef production in the U.S. In 2025, there were almost ** million beef cows in the United States. Compared to sheep, pigs, and chickens, cows are very expensive to raise and require much more water, feed, and land per calorie generated. Though beef production fluctuates from year to year, there has been a positive trend in beef production in the last several years in the United States. U.S. beef market In terms of retail sales, beef is the leading type of fresh meat in the United States. In 2023, beef generated about *************U.S. dollars in sales, compared to approximately ***********dollars for chicken, and **************dollars for pork. As of 2025, per capita consumption of beef in the United States amounted to about ** pounds per year.

This statistic shows the value per head of all cattle and calves in the United States from 2001 to 2019. In 2001, the average value stood at 725 U.S. dollars per head. A new record high was reached in 2015, when the value per head stood at 1,584 U.S. dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Industry: Other Animal Food Manufacturing: Complete Beef Cattle Feed, Supplements, Concentrates, and Premixes (PCU311119311119H) from Dec 2011 to Feb 2026 about supplements, animals, cattle, livestock, meat, food, manufacturing, PPI, inflation, industry, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Argentina Average Live Cattle Price: Heifer data was reported at 4,616.322 ARS/kg in Feb 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 4,116.423 ARS/kg for Jan 2026. Argentina Average Live Cattle Price: Heifer data is updated monthly, averaging 7.466 ARS/kg from Jun 1995 (Median) to Feb 2026, with 369 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,616.322 ARS/kg in Feb 2026 and a record low of 0.697 ARS/kg in Jul 1995. Argentina Average Live Cattle Price: Heifer data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Liniers Cattle Market. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Argentina – Table AR.P: Liniers Cattle Market Prices.

Current price of Cow Cutter 90% 350#/up, Bone. Daily U.S. Boxed Beef Cow prices per pound, based on negotiated prices and volume of boxed beef cuts delivered within 0-21 days and on average industry cutting yields.