It’s The Ranch It Up Radio Show! Join Jeff Tigger Erhardt, Rebecca Wanner AKA BEC and their crew as they go through all the headlines making the news and recaps from the Northern Summer time Classic from Northern Livestock Video. Plus updates on cow herd rebuilding and more on this all new episode of The Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.

Beef Cattle Industry News & Market Reports

Season 5, EPISODE 248

Northern Summertime Classic from Northern Livestock Video Sale Market Report

A tremendous feeder cattle market for the Northern Summertime Classic by Northern Livestock Video. View complete Sale Reports here:

Beef Cattle Industry News

U.S. Cattle Inventory Hits 50-Year Low, Keeping Beef Prices at Record Highs

Herd Stabilization Offers Little Relief as Beef Supply Remains Tight

Despite signs that the U.S. cattle herd may be stabilizing, record-high beef prices continue to strain both consumers and meat processors. According to the USDA’s July Cattle Inventory Report, there were just 94.2 million head of cattle and calves in the U.S. as of July 1—marking the lowest mid-year total since 1973.

The USDA also reported that cattle placements into feedlots—an essential part of the beef production cycle—fell to their lowest level since 2017. This ongoing decline signals that beef supply shortages could persist well into the future.

Why Beef Prices Remain Elevated

A combination of factors has led to this long-term contraction in the U.S. cattle herd, including:

High interest rates impacting financing for livestock operations
Soaring feed costs
Prolonged drought conditions across key cattle-producing regions

These pressures have forced many ranchers to liquidate their herds, shrinking the national inventory and putting upward pressure on beef prices. Major meatpacking companies like Tyson Foods and JBS have reported multi-billion-dollar losses, squeezed by rising cattle costs and tight supplies.

Are Ranchers Rebuilding Their Herds?

While cattle prices are now at historic highs and pasture conditions have improved in some areas, analysts say there’s still no strong evidence of herd expansion.

Dr. Derrell Peel, agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University, says the number of heifers on feed remains steady—indicating producers are not retaining many females for breeding. “We’re probably stabilizing cattle numbers,” Peel notes. “But we’re not growing yet.” Additionally, the USDA data shows a continued decline in beef cows kept for breeding purposes, further supporting the idea that a meaningful herd rebuild has yet to begin.

Beef Supply Recovery May Take Years

Analysts warn that even if herd rebuilding were to begin now, beef production is unlikely to fully recover until 2028 or 2029. Benjamin Theurer, an ag market analyst with Barclays, predicts a slow path to recovery, both in supply volumes and profit margins for packers. “A full rebuild and margin recovery is still a ways away,” Theurer wrote in a recent market report.

What It Means for Consumers

With beef supply constrained and demand remaining strong, cattle prices are expected to stay high for the foreseeable future. Consumers may increasingly turn to more affordable proteins like pork and chicken, but those markets could also tighten if demand shifts significantly.

REFERENCES:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-cattle-tally-shows-no-220014342.html

Beef Packers Face An Unprofitable 2025

According to research and analysis by Sterling Marketing For Drovers, as expected, beef packer margins turned red this past week in the wake of the Fourth of July grilling event, and averaged -$181.50/head. The comprehensive beef cutout fell to an average of $376.86 last week, down from $387.54 the week before.

Still, packers margins are faring better than they were just a month ago, when the red ink showed $208.72, while the beef cutout was basically even with the month-ago calculation at $375.95. But the second half of the year could be brutal: Sterling Marketing projects packers will wind up the year with an average loss of $205 per head for the year.

Cattle slaughter dropped 5,000 head last week, to 563,000 from the level a week ago. Carcass weights remain elevated, at 867 lbs. compared to the same period a year ago. Fed plant capacity utilization is low, at 79.0% this past week, comparable to levels seen much of 2025.

REFERENCES:

https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/120049

U.S. Beef Imports from Brazil Drop Sharply Amid New Tariffs

Brazilian Beef Imports to the U.S. Plunge Following 10% Global Tariff

Sales of Brazilian beef to the United States have dropped significantly since the implementation of a 10% global tariff in April 2025. This decline began even before the anticipated 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, set to take effect on August 1.

Brazil, a major supplier of lean beef trim used in U.S. ground beef production, saw its exports to the U.S. fall from 47,800 metric tons in April to just 18,200 metric tons in June. According to data cited by Brazilian media and the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, only 9,700 metric tons were shipped during the first three weeks of July.

Impact of Tariffs on U.S. Beef Supply Chain

The 10% tariff—part of President Trump’s global trade policy—remained in effect on nearly all goods from Brazil, even as similar tariffs on other trading partners were suspended. Brazil had previously been the second-largest beef exporter to the U.S., behind only Australia.

With the additional 50% tariff looming, further declines in Brazilian beef imports are expected, potentially impacting ground beef prices and supply chains across the United States.

REFERENCES:
https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/120011

Summer Cattle Health: Heat Stress, Ticks, and Emerging Threats

Familiar Summer Challenges Meet New Cattle Health Concerns

As summer temperatures rise, cattle producers are once again focused on managing heat stress and insect-related health issues. But this year, a new and serious threat is gaining attention: the Asian longhorned tick, a rapidly spreading invasive pest that can transmit a deadly disease to cattle.

Asian Longhorned Tick Confirmed in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois

Dr. Craig Payne, Director of Veterinary Extension at the University of Missouri, warns that this tick—first identified in Missouri just a few years ago—has now been confirmed in 22 counties across the state. Recent reports have also confirmed its presence in Iowa and Illinois, signaling continued spread throughout the Midwest.

Unlike native tick species, the Asian longhorned tick reproduces quickly. A single female can lay up to 2,000 eggs without mating. Beyond blood loss and irritation, these ticks transmit Theileria orientalis Ikeda, a blood parasite that destroys red blood cells. The disease mimics symptoms of anaplasmosis, causing:

Sudden weight loss
Aborted pregnancies
Death losses ranging from 1% to 5%

No Approved Treatment: Early Detection is Critical

Dr. Payne emphasizes that there is currently no approved treatment for Theileria orientalis Ikeda in the United States. Because the disease resembles anaplasmosis, a blood test is required for proper diagnosis.

“It behaves very similarly to anaplasmosis in that it’s tick transmitted,” says Payne.

Producers should be aware that Theileria can appear in areas even where the Asian longhorned tick hasn’t been officially confirmed. Over time, this disease may become endemic in regions like Missouri.

Tick and Fly Control Strategies for Summer

The most effective strategy against this new threat is tick prevention and control, including:

Keeping cattle away from wooded, brushy areas
Mowing pastures and removing weedy growth
Inspecting cattle for ticks during working events

These same practices help manage anaplasmosis risk, as well as broader issues with horn flies and other parasites. Horn flies are especially troublesome in summer and can:

Spread pinkeye pathogens
Lower weight gain and grazing performance
Cause stress-related losses

Consider Medicated Minerals and Biosecurity Steps

Producers can also include chlortetracycline-medicated mineral during the tick season to support health and reduce the effects of tick-borne disease.

Additionally, Payne advises good biosecurity practices to prevent disease transmission:

Change needles between cattle during injections
Disinfect tools like tagging pliers between uses

More Summer Health Risks: Heat, Foot Rot & Fescue Toxins

Besides parasites, producers should watch for:

Foot rot, especially in wet, muddy conditions or when cattle cool off in ponds
The fescue summer slump, caused by endophyte-infected fescue, leading to heat stress and reduced forage intake

To manage these conditions:

Provide access to clean water and shaded areas
Avoid working cattle during peak heat
Monitor grazing patterns on fescue pastures

Takeaway: While heat stress and horn flies remain seasonal staples in cattle management, emerging threats like the Asian longhorned tick and Theileria orientalis Ikeda raise the stakes.
REFERENCES:
https://agupdate.com/missourifarmertoday/news/livestock/article_f5f0d850-e822-4713-877d-543f3d72f7be.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Featured Experts in the Cattle Industry

Mark Vanzee – Livestock, Equine, & Auction Time Expert
https://www.auctiontime.com/
https://www.livestockmarket.com/
https://www.equinemarket.com/
Follow on Facebook: @LivestockMkt | @EquineMkt | @AuctionTime

Kirk Donsbach – Financial Analyst at StoneX
https://www.stonex.com/
Follow on Facebook: @StoneXGroupInc

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

Contact Us with Questions or Concerns

Have questions or feedback? Feel free to reach out via:

Call/Text: 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420
Email: RanchItUpShow@gmail.com
Follow us: Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow
YouTube: Subscribe to Ranch It Up Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RanchItUp

Catch all episodes of the Ranch It Up Podcast available on all major podcasting platforms.

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/