• Farmer Mac flagged a sharp shift in beef supply-chain economics, with cow-calf producers capturing nearly 60% of retail beef dollars by mid-2026.
• Feeder cattle prices rose from about $100 per hundredweight in 2020 to record highs by 2025, then stabilized in a range in 2026.
• Tight supply drove the rally, with the U.S. cattle herd down 1% in 2026 and Mexico feeder imports constrained by New World screwworm restrictions.
• Beef imports jumped 16% in 2025, though reduced domestic cattle availability kept overall beef supplies limited.
• Retail value per animal increased to about $5,450 in the first half of 2026 from about $3,950 in 2021, supported by resilient demand.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Farmer Mac - Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation published the original content used to generate this news brief on August 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.