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Weekly Cattle Slaughter Surges Amid Rising Beef Prices

10/16/2025

33 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Cattle slaughter estimates for the week reached 122,000 head, up from 118,000 last week, for a total of 348,000 head so far.
Analysts note unexpectedly larger slaughter estimates despite stable fed-cattle supplies.
Retail beef prices rose, with rib-eye steak at $32.99 per pound.
A Wall Street Journal-NORC poll shows women view the economy more negatively than men.

History

Historical Context

The 1906 publication of Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" exposed unsanitary conditions in Chicago's meatpacking industry, prompting public outcry and leading to the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act. By 1910, the USDA inspected over 1.5 million cattle annually, establishing standards that still influence today's meat production, where slaughter estimates reach 348,000 head.

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Story summary

Cattle slaughter estimates for the week reached 122,000 head, up from 118,000 last week, for a total of 348,000 head so far.
Analysts note unexpectedly larger slaughter estimates despite stable fed-cattle supplies.
Retail beef prices rose, with rib-eye steak at $32.99 per pound.
A Wall Street Journal-NORC poll shows women view the economy more negatively than men.

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