Tight cattle supply should keep prices up in 2026

Benjamin Herrold
Jan 2, 2026
Jan 2, 2026

cattle in lot by hay — Snowflakes fall as a cattle herd awaits a bale of hay. Livestock marketing specialists and ag economists expect another strong year for cattle markets in 2026, and hog producers should continue to recover from challenging financial years in 2023 and early 2024.
IFT photo by Benjamin Herrold

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Historically low cattle numbers and strong demand should provide support for cattle markets in 2026, livestock marketing specialists and ag economists say.

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