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cattle. beef

Why High Cattle Prices Don’t Guarantee Profits

Fed cattle prices are near record highs, but cattle finishing margins could remain under pressure through the rest of 2026 and into 2027. Michael Langemeier explains what’s driving the squeeze, from feeder cattle prices and feeding costs to historically high breakeven prices.

Trends in Cattle Finishing Breakeven Prices and Net Returns

Cattle finishing is a tight margin business where profitability relies on feeder cattle prices relative to fed cattle prices and feed costs. This means that relatively high fed cattle prices, like we are experiencing in 2026, or relatively low feed costs do not necessarily translate into strong net returns. This article examines trends in feeding cost of gain, breakeven prices, and net returns for the last ten years.

Indiana Farm Income Outlook Report, Fall 2025

The Fall 2025 Indiana Farm Income Outlook, published by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF), provides updated projections for Indiana farm profitability through 2026.

Indiana Farm Income Outlook Report, Spring 2025

The Spring 2025 Indiana Farm Income Outlook, published by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF), provides updated projections for Indiana farm profitability through 2026. The report highlights a projected 40% increase in Indiana net farm income in 2025—driven largely by higher government payments—and offers insight into trends in crop and livestock markets, production expenses, and policy impacts.

Ag Lease 101: Lease Publications & Forms from NCFMEC

AgLease101.org helps both land owners and land operators learn about alternative lease arrangements and includes sample written lease agreements for several alternatives. Ag Lease 101 was created by and is maintained by the North Central Farm Management Extension Committee (NCFMEC).

Trend in Breakeven Prices for Cattle Finishing

Fed cattle prices have strengthened the last few months. At the same time, due to lower corn prices, feeding cost of gain has also declined. Partially in response to these two phenomena, feeder prices and breakeven prices have increased substantially.

Cattle Outlook

Slidedeck presentation by James Mintert given at the Livestock Marketing Information Center’s Industry Outlook Conference on October 25, 2023.

Impact of Lower Corn Prices On Feeding Cost of Gain for Cattle Finishing

Corn prices have declined substantially since the first half of this year. This article examined the impact of higher corn prices on feeding cost of gain for cattle finishing.

How Much Have Eggs & Other Food Prices Risen?

With egg prices up nearly 75% and grocery bills on the rise, Jayson Lusk joins Brady Brewer to discuss food price inflation on this AgCast episode. Although food prices have been on the rise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain grocery items have risen more than others. Jayson, Director of the Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability (CFDAS), shares why many livestock producers are scaling back, the effects of supply chain issues, and how food inflation is affecting consumer spending and preferences.

Cattle Finishing Net Returns Prospects for 2023

This article discussed recent trends in feeding cost of gain, the feeder to fed cattle price ratio, breakeven prices, and cattle finishing net returns. Average cattle finishing losses in 2022 were estimated to be approximately $70 per head.

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