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Cattle groups are largely applauding USDA's campaign to promote the updated "Product of USA" label. USDA says it will help consumers quickly identify products that are truly made in America. @uscattlemen President Tupper describes what it also means for U.S. cattle producers.

The American cattle crisis explained from our local sale barns We watched two of our local sale barns this week, and on the surface things look “normal.” Cattle are still selling. The market is mostly steady. Feeder calves softened a little. Cows, bulls, and bred cattle are still bringing strong money. But that’s only part of the story. Because zoom out and we are in the middle of a shrinking U.S. cattle herd. After years of drought, a lot of ranchers were forced to sell off mama cows just to stay afloat. And once those cows are gone, it takes YEARS to rebuild. Now layer in what’s happening globally… War and instability drive oil and fuel prices up, and fuel impacts every single step of raising beef: • diesel to run equipment • trucking cattle across the country • producing and hauling feed • getting beef to processors and stores So even if calves bring a little less at the sale barn this week, the cost to raise them hasn’t gone down. In a lot of cases it’s gone up. That’s the squeeze ranchers are in right now: High input costs • smaller herd numbers • strong consumer demand = a tightening system And over time, that leads to exactly what we’re seeing: Less cattle in the pipeline… and higher beef prices at the store. This isn’t just a local market update. This is a snapshot of what’s happening across American agriculture. We’re not at a shortage yet but we are in a rebuilding phase that will take time. And until herd numbers recover, this pressure on prices isn’t going anywhere. We’ll keep showing you the real side of it from the sale barn to your table. #tlcattleco #marketupdate #beefcattle #cattlemarket #eatbeef

Record high beef prices. Record high cattle prices. Record imports. Historically low cattle numbers. And yet, producers are not expanding. Why? Because the underlying structure of the marketplace has not changed. In Part IV of The State of America’s Beef Industry, we break down where we are today and what must be done to restore competition, transparency and long-term stability. 📺Watch: The State of America’s Beef Industry, Part IV

😱 Record-shattering prices: Baby calves are selling for thousands as the beef crisis deepens! With the smallest calf crop since 1941 and inventories plummeting, ranchers can't keep up with demand. Brace yourself—experts warn beef costs will stay painfully high through 2026

Texas cattle ranchers fear drought could eliminate its cattle industry, with some even selling off their herds. RFD-TV Correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, who says that he may be selling soon.

Cattle ranches are DY*NG in America ‼️😱 ㅤ Follow for a front-row seat to ranch life, the daily care of our happy cows, how they’re raised, and the beef that brings it all home (and tastes amazing).

Six years ago, the calves we purchased (not born on our farm) cost us about $150–$250 each. Last year, those same types of calves were $800–$1,200 each. Farmer Chad and I always keep a close eye on livestock markets—especially cattle. Just last week, the farmer we regularly buy calves from sold cattle at the St. Jacobs auction for over $2,000 per head. We are incredibly grateful that over the years we’ve been able to build much of our own herd, which means we don’t have to rely on buying calves the way we once did. For those who may not realize, it takes 20–24 months for us to raise truly 100% grass-fed beef from calf to finished animal. There are many theories about what’s driving these price increases, but one thing is clear: consolidation is happening in agriculture, and rising costs like these are pushing more small farms out every year. The economy is tough, and it doesn’t appear to be improving anytime soon. At the end of the day, consumers vote with their dollars. Knowing where your food comes from—and what kind of farms you’re supporting—has never mattered more. 🌾🐄

For 40 years, the structure of America’s beef industry has quietly changed. • Just a few global packers control most of the fed cattle market • More than half of U.S. cattle producers have disappeared • The producer share of the beef dollar dropped while consumer prices soared • Imported beef can be sold without country-of-origin labels When consumers cannot see where their beef comes from, the decision is left to global packers, not American families. The result is a shrinking domestic cattle industry and growing dependence on foreign beef. Food security starts with a strong domestic cattle supply chain. 📺 Watch: The State of America’s Beef Industry, Part II

We are always thinking about cows and beef around here! What topic is always on your mind?

The image depicts a massive cattle feedlot in the United States, which is a specialized facility where cattle are "finished" on grain before processing. Identifying the "biggest" depends on whether you measure by land area (ranch) or animal capacity (feedyard). Largest Beef Operations in the U.S. By Animal Capacity (Feedyard): Five Rivers Cattle Feeding is the world's largest cattle feeding company. While it operates 13 feedyards across states like Texas, Kansas, and Colorado, its McElhaney Feedyard in Wellton, Arizona, is one of the largest single-site operations with a capacity of approximately 115,000 head of cattle. By Land Area (Ranch): King Ranch in South Texas is the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the U.S., covering roughly 825,000 acres—an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.