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Ranchers Struggle to Expand Herds Amid Record Beef Prices

4/16/2026

23 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ranchers face challenges expanding cattle herds despite record-high beef prices.
Drought, high feed costs, and processing bottlenecks hinder growth, shrinking the U.S. cattle herd from 132 million in 1975 to 86 million in 2026.
Stephanie Hatzenbuhler must decide whether to retain calves for breeding or sell them, and the Meat Institute says meat processors do not set consumer prices.

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Story summary

Ranchers face challenges expanding cattle herds despite record-high beef prices.
Drought, high feed costs, and processing bottlenecks hinder growth, shrinking the U.S. cattle herd from 132 million in 1975 to 86 million in 2026.
Stephanie Hatzenbuhler must decide whether to retain calves for breeding or sell them, and the Meat Institute says meat processors do not set consumer prices.