Cattle outlook 2026: Is this the year when the herd size finally expands?

After 227 past bullish report events, Feeder Cattle moved a median +0.4% over 5 sessions (57% higher; middle half -1.2% to +1.5%), and +1.1% over 20.

• Aug 31, 2021Is the U.S. Cattle Oversupply Finally Cleared? - The Food Institute-4.7%
• May 29, 2026Why the U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low — and what it means for beef prices : NPR+0.1%
• Jun 1, 2022Cattle Supply and Demand Issues for the 2022 Marketing Year+4.4%
• May 25, 2022Cattle Supply and Demand Issues for the 2022 Marketing Year - Northern Ag Network+9.9%
• Oct 12, 2026Feeder cattle hit three-month high on lower corn outlook - CME | The Cattle Site+0.0%

After 268 past bullish report events, Live Cattle moved a median +0.3% over 5 sessions (58% higher; middle half -0.7% to +1.4%), and +1.7% over 20.

• Aug 31, 2021Is the U.S. Cattle Oversupply Finally Cleared? - The Food Institute+1.8%
• May 29, 2026Why the U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low — and what it means for beef prices : NPR-0.8%
• Jun 1, 2022Cattle Supply and Demand Issues for the 2022 Marketing Year+0.9%
• May 25, 2022Cattle Supply and Demand Issues for the 2022 Marketing Year - Northern Ag Network-1.3%
• Feb 4, 20202020 Cattle Inventory—Herd Expansion Comes to an End - ProAg-1.0%