Loading…
USDA's July Cattle Inventory and Cattle on Feed reports showed total cattle and calves at 94.2 million head, up 200,000 from a year earlier and the first July increase since 2018. Beef cow inventory fell 0.7%, a sign of heifer retention.
The Choice boxed beef cutout has dropped nearly $40 per cwt since June, about 10%.
Early herd rebuilding signals reduced near-term slaughter supply, which supports cattle prices longer term. The weaker beef cutout raises questions about softening consumer demand, which could limit feedlot profitability and feed demand.
fb.orgBernt Nelson, Chad SmithJul 28, 2026After 78 past neutral report events, Live Cattle moved a median +0.2% over 5 sessions (54% higher; middle half -1.0% to +1.0%), and +0.7% over 20.
After 44 past neutral report events, Feeder Cattle moved a median +0.3% over 5 sessions (59% higher; middle half -0.9% to +1.0%), and +0.5% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
