As U.S. cattle herd shrinks, meatpackers ‘are scrambling’

Drought and high feed costs have driven ranchers to send cattle to slaughter instead of keeping them for breeding, Reuters reports, shrinking the U.S. beef herd to its smallest size since 1962. As a result, meatpackers are paying considerably more for the cows they turn into meat, which cuts into their profits. Analysts told Reuters… » Read More

FERN’s Ag Insider gives you the reporting you need every day to navigate the difficult terrain of food and agriculture policy. Editor Chuck Abbott has been covering this beat for nearly three decades — few journalists have the connections in the halls of power and the understanding of the issues that Chuck does.

Executives and leaders across the political and corporate spectrum consider FERN's Ag Insider an essential read. Get the reporting you need every weekday. Subscribe now to get full access! Don’t miss out.

Features include:

  • • In-depth reporting and analysis
  • • A roundup of key reporting from a range of sources
  • • Articles tagged and viewable by subject
  • • A searchable archive of all Ag Insider reporting
  • • All this PLUS a newsletter summary in your email inbox every weekday morning.

As low as $6.60 / month
30-day free trial

Subscribe