Beef prices, policy and power

Prices are rising, volumes are steady, and the message is unmistakable: beef demand is doing the heavy lifting. We open the new year by breaking down why fed cattle values remain strong even as carcass weights keep output near recent norms, what a potential 2027 peak could look like, and how heifer retention decisions may tighten supplies sooner than many expect. Rather than chase headlines or react to every policy flare-up, we lay out a clear approach to risk: define rules, manage emotion, and use tools that let you sleep at night when the screens get loud.
We also spotlight a high-stakes fight over water rights that could reshape grazing in the West. The Idaho test case centers on whether the federal government can claim stockwater on BLM and Forest Service allotments when permittees haven’t secured those rights. For ranchers, land without water is idle capital, so we talk through what’s at risk, why state law matters, and how documentation and vigilance protect long-term access. It’s not just a legal story—it’s a business continuity plan for operations that depend on public lands.
Herd health gets equal billing as dairy x beef cross calves flow through more beef systems. Neosporosis, a canine-linked parasitic disease long managed in dairies, poses a rising threat if feed hygiene slips and dogs access storage areas. We outline practical biosecurity steps, vet-guided testing options when abortion rates tick up, and the economic logic for prevention in a high-price environment where every calf saved preserves margin. As we look toward CattleCon 2026, we expect debate around prices, imports, and how fast to rebuild the cow herd—but we land on a simple stance: let fundamentals guide decisions, pair market literacy with resource security, and run your operation like the resilient business it is.
If you enjoyed this conversation, with BEEF cohosts Sarah Muirhead, Clint Peck and Nevil Speer, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s headed to Nashville, and leave a quick review so more producers can find it. Your feedback helps us tackle the topics that matter most.

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