Managing Cattle & Grass In A Drought

It is that time of year that many producers are moving cattle to summer grazing.  But drought is plaguing many and it continues to worsen.  According to drought.gov, as of May 5th, 60.92% of the country is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, largely concentrated in the Southeast, High Plains, and West. There are strategies for managing drought, or I should say how we manage grass and forage uptake in the cowherd to get through drought.  Trevor Burian from Killdeer North Dakota joins us today.  Trevor has been a student of grazing, plant management, regenerative ag, and cattle efficiency and profitability his entire life.

Cattle Industry News

China & U.S. Beef Trade

According to Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, the role of China in global beef markets has changed rapidly in the last two decades. 

China, including Hong Kong, was not a player at all in global beef markets as little as 15 years ago but has risen rapidly to become the largest beef importer in the last decade.

For many years, China was a large beef producing and consuming country but had almost no presence in global beef markets. Starting about 2013, rising beef consumption in China began to exceed domestic beef production, leading for the first time to significant beef imports.

Although per capita beef consumption in China remains relatively low — roughly 13 pounds compared to 59 pounds in the U.S. — the large population means that small increases in beef consumption represent large amounts of beef in total.

According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation President CEO Dan Halstrom, China’s reentry into the market for U.S. beef exports will have a significant and rapid price feedback to the American industry from other markets. 

He called it a “hidden benefit” from China’s renewal of registrations for U.S. beef facilities as well as hoped-for resolution of suspensions of a significant number of plants. Most of the registrations were abruptly declared expired in March 2025 before being listed as renewed last week following a meeting in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. 

REFERENCES: 

https://meatingplace.com/peel-the-importance-of-china-in-global-and-us-beef-markets/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_cid=1103020073&utm_campaign=MTGMCD260518017&utm_date=20260519-0300

https://meatingplace.com/usmef-chinese-importers-clamoring-for-us-beef/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_cid=1103020073&utm_campaign=MTGMCD260518017&utm_date=20260519-0300

https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/peel-the-importance-of-china-in-global-and-u-s-beef-markets

Texas Joins DOJ Beef Packing Antitrust Probe

An announcement came late last week that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into the beef industry over potential anticompetitive conduct among the nation’s largest meatpackers.

Paxton said the investigation would be conducted alongside a separate antitrust probe announced by the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The investigation is focused on the highly concentrated beef packing sector, where four companies — JBS S.A., Tyson Fresh Meats, Cargill and National Beef Packing Co. — collectively control more than 85% of U.S. beef processing capacity, according to Paxton’s office.

The attorney general cited reports alleging the companies may have used their market power to suppress cattle prices paid to ranchers while increasing beef prices for consumers.

REFERENCE: 

https://meatingplace.com/texas-joins-doj-beef-packing-antitrust-probe/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_cid=1103020073&utm_campaign=MTGMCD260517014&utm_date=20260518-0300

New World Screwworm Surveillance Update

The number of New World screwworm cases reported in Mexico continues to grow, prompting USDA officials to intensify surveillance and carefully manage the limited supply of sterile flies used to contain the pest’s spread.

USDA says sterile fly dispersal efforts are currently concentrated along the Gulf coast of northern Mexico, with additional drops occurring within roughly 50 miles of the Texas border.

Officials say the agency is relying heavily on predictive modeling and real-time surveillance data to determine where those flies are deployed. USDA says those decisions are being made in coordination with the agency’s Agricultural Research Service, using predictive analytics designed to anticipate where the pest could spread next, not simply where cases are currently confirmed.

REFERENCE:

https://www.rfdtv.com/usda-expands-new-world-screwworm-surveillance-as-cases-rise-in-mexico-and-sterile-fly-supply-stays-limited

U.S. Beef Imports Projected To Top 6 Billion Pounds

U.S. Beef Imports are projected to top 6 billion pounds for the first time in history — Up 166% Since 2010. 

Last week’s USDA WASDE report projected 2026 U.S. beef imports at 6.1 billion pounds, the highest level in history and the first time beef imports have ever exceeded 6 billion pounds. 

The projection would mark an increase of 638 million pounds, or 11.7%, from 2025 levels and continue a trend that has seen beef imports increase every year since 2017.

Since 2010, U.S. beef imports have climbed from 2.3 billion pounds to more than 6.1 billion pounds, an increase of roughly 3.8 billion pounds, or nearly 166%. The sharp rise in imports has coincided with declining U.S. cattle inventories and historically tight domestic beef supplies.

Retail Beef Prices Rocket Higher

Retail beef prices continued their sharp climb in April as all 12 major beef categories increased from March levels, with 9 of the 12 cuts establishing new all-time record highs.

The Retail Beef Price Composite increased from $8.93/lb in March to a record $9.28/lb in April, rising $0.35/lb in just one month. Ground beef prices continued pushing higher across every category. Ground Chuck increased from $6.68 to a record $6.92/lb, while Ground Beef climbed from $6.70 to $6.90/lb. Lean & Extra Lean Ground Beef jumped $0.31 to a record $8.51/lb, and All Uncooked Ground Beef increased to a record $7.06/lb.

Roast values posted some of the largest monthly increases. Chuck Roast, USDA Choice Boneless surged $0.66 to a record $9.50/lb, while Round Roast, Choice Boneless climbed $0.51 to a record $8.98/lb. 

Only three categories failed to establish new all-time highs during April. Round Steak, USDA Choice increased from $9.61 to $9.83/lb but remained below its February 2026 record high of $10.09/lb. Beef for Stew, Boneless rose from $8.41 to $8.65/lb but stayed below its November 2025 record of $9.172/lb. All Uncooked Other Beef increased from $7.68 to $7.92/lb, still below its November 2025 record high of $8.20/lb. 

Featured Experts in the Cattle Industry

Trevor Burian – Burian Rangeland Services, LLC

Follow On Facebook: @trevor.burian

Shaye Wanner – Host of Casual Cattle Conversation
https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/
Follow on Facebook: @cattleconvos

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Discover the Heart of Rural America with Tigger & BEC

Ranching, farming, and the Western lifestyle are at the heart of everything we do. Tigger & BEC bring you exclusive insights from the world of working ranches, cattle farming, and sustainable beef production.

Learn more about Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner (BEC) and their mission to promote the Western way of life at Tigger and BEC.

https://tiggerandbec.com/

Industry References, Partners and Resources

For additional information on industry trends, products, and services, check out these trusted resources:

American Gelbvieh Association: https://gelbvieh.org/

EquineMarket.Com: https://www.equinemarket.com/

Imogene Ingredients: https://www.imogeneingredients.com/

Jorgensen Land & Cattle: https://jorgensenfarms.com/#/?ranchchannel=view

LivestockMarket.Com: https://www.livestockmarket.com/

RanchChannel.Com: https://ranchchannel.com/

RFD-TV: https://www.rfdtv.com/

Rural Radio Network: https://www.ruralradio147.com/

Sire Buyer: https://www.sirebuyer.com/

Westway Feed Products: https://westwayfeed.com/

Wrangler: https://www.wrangler.com/