Americans are seeing a decline in domestically produced beef as cattle numbers dwindle. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the country's commercial beef production totaled around 14.4 billion pounds from January through July 2026, down from approximately 15.2 billion pounds during the same period last year.
The number of cattle commercially slaughtered also decreased, falling from about 17.5 million during the first seven months of 2025 to 16.2 million during the same period this year, according to USDA data. This decline in production is contributing to higher prices in the market.
Will Harris, a fourth-generation cattle farmer and owner of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, attributes the decline in cattle numbers to years of financial pressure. "Cattle farmers have for so long not made a profit that they have liquidated their herds, and the numbers are just not here anymore," Harris said in an interview.
Harris noted that higher cattle prices have not yet led to an expansion of producers in the industry. He said that starting or expanding a cattle operation requires significant investments in land, equipment, and livestock, making it difficult for new producers to enter the market.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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