Beef prices hit all-time highs, expected to climb higher in 2025

Cattle prices hit an all-time high in January. Recent reports indicate prices will continue to rise in 2025.

According to Business Insider, live cattle, a term used to describe cattle of desirable weight, are primarily bred in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. Business Insider reports these states have experienced a very cold winter which impacts ranchers.

KSNT News spoke to K-State Agricultural Economics Professor Glynn Tonsor about the impact on Kansas feedlots.

“The current cold streak impacts feedlot operators logistically making it harder to get feed to cattle and impacts performance as animals exert more effort simply staying warm,” Tonsor said. “Cow-calf producers who may have cows and heifers calving here in mid-February also face challenges with newborn calves being born on very cold days impacting birthing outcomes.”

On Feb. 6, the CattleFax Outlook Seminar shared that supply constraints have moved the market in favor of cattle producers. CattleFax reported a projected decrease in cattle production that could lead to higher beef prices. CattleFax reports that all cattle classes are expected to trade higher in 2025, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.