Nebraska Cattlemen Disappointed by Tyson Foods' Beef Processing Plant Closure in Lexington

The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors released the following statement in response to Tyson Foods’ announcement it will permanently close the beef processing plant in Lexington: 

“We are disappointed by Tyson’s decision to permanently close the Lexington beef processing facility – especially in light of today’s USDA data indicating that Nebraska cattle-on-feed inventories remain slightly above year-ago levels in spite of the ongoing cyclical tightness in overall U.S. cattle numbers. We firmly believe there isn’t a better place to efficiently and economically raise cattle and produce beef than Nebraska. As this...

China Pushes Back Beef Anti-Dumping Probe to January 26

China’s anti-dumping investigation into imported beef will be extended by another two months until January 26, 2026, according to the China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). 

Initially scheduled to conclude in August 2025, the investigation timeline was first extended by three months to November 26 “due to the large workload and complex case,” the ministry stated on August 6. 

MOFCOM began the investigation on December 27, 2024, following a request from China’s Animal Agriculture Association and nine industry associations representing major beef-producing areas...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

ANALYSIS: US Choice Chuck Flap at a Record High

Chuck flap is an item that can be cooked in many ways. Most of the time, this cut is slow cooked but can be used in high-heat cooking depending on its intended use. On the East Coast, specifically the New England area, consumer buying interest is driven by dishes that include steak tips, which favor the slow cooking method. 

I bring up these cooking methods because recently the Choice chuck flap reached a record high. This is due to increased demand for the cut, specifically driven right now by buying interest from market...

ANALYSIS: WOG Prices Turn Upward Despite Values Lagging Behind Past Norms

3-lb. to 3.5-lb. WOG prices are entering the seasonal period where values typically firm into the end of the year. The historical pattern is clear: November and December routinely post some of the highest pricing of the calendar year as consumer behavior shifts around holiday shopping. Families spend more time outside the home and lean heavily on convenience foods like rotisserie chickens or deli-prepared eight-piece fried chicken. The consistent bump in retail and food service pull has historically translated into a reliable lift on whole chicken markets. Over the past five seasons, the average increase...

ANALYSIS: Comparing Cage-Free Demand This Thanksgiving to Last

Cage-free wholesale values continued to rise this week as Thanksgiving baking demand surged across retail channels. Large national chains have maintained affordable shelf pricing through November, driving strong consumer sales as households prepare for the peak baking period. At some of these chains, cage-free eggs are positioned below $1.50/dozen—an uncommon and striking inversion that puts them roughly 50cts below conventional shelf prices in many other regions. In effect, shelf prices are trending lower than they were heading into Thanksgiving last year, supporting consistent foot traffic despite ongoing pressure on household budgets...

ANALYSIS: EU Egg Market Steadies, Yet Avian Flu Keeps Tension Alive

The EU egg market appears to be settling after a period of sharp price escalation. As industrial buyers scale back year-end procurement, the urgency that had driven recent firming has eased, allowing spot values to stabilize, with slight softening appearing in some segments. Yet supply across most of the EU remains constrained, with only isolated pockets of improvement.

Dried yolk remains a pronounced bullish outlier. Strong demand and minimal inventories continue to push values upward. Its essential role in high-value food applications and limited substitution options keep buyers compelled to secure supply despite rising costs...

USDA Update on Coordinated Federal Response To Protect United States From New World Screwworm

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in close collaboration with our interagency partners and Mexico’s El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA), has made considerable progress in reducing the overall threat of New World screwworm (NWS) to U.S. agriculture and mitigating northern movement of the fly within Mexico. As of November 21, NWS has not been detected in any animals or traps in the United States, and the vast majority of cases within Mexico remain concentrated in southern parts of the country. The Trump Administration remains steadfast in its resolve to safeguard America’s rural economy...

Serving Holidays with a Side of Chaos: Dr. Seuss's The Grinch Meal Is Coming to McDonald's

CODE PICKLE: Dr. Seuss's The Grinch has successfully slipped into the Golden Arches and on Dec. 2, he's unleashing The Grinch Meal. The meal, made in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and McDonald's, will be available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time, while supplies last. His diabolical culinary debut features Dill Pickle "Grinch Salt" McShaker Fries, arriving for the first time in the U.S.

Sprinkle the tangy, dill pickle seasoning into the McShaker bag and shake for a bold...

Container Trades Statistics is Tracking Towards a Record-Breaking Year

Revised figures for August 2025 now show global liftings at 16.8 million TEUs, marking the highest monthly volume ever recorded in the CTS database. This new record surpasses the 2nd previous high set in July 2025 by more than 220,000 TEUs.

As expected, September 2025 volumes eased month on month, falling 5.6% from August’s exceptional levels. Despite this decline, global volumes for September still reached a solid 15.86 million TEUs, representing a 5% increase compared with September 2024. This brings the third quarter of 2025 to a close with a...

Save A Lot and Forage Launch SNAP EBT Payments on Uber Eats

Forage, the mission-driven payments company, and Save A Lot, one of the nation's largest value-focused grocers, today announced that SNAP EBT is live on Uber Eats at more than 325 participating Save A Lot locations. The launch makes it easier for families in food deserts, seniors, people with disabilities, and households without reliable transportation to get groceries delivered the same day.

"As a hometown grocer, we serve many communities where full-service grocery options are limited," said...

ANALYSIS: China’s Oct 2025 Beef Imports Retreat from Record Highs at 281,292 mt

China’s October 2025 beef imports eased back from September’s record highs at 281,292 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

While inbound tonnage slips, volumes remained the second highest on record this year. Shipments fell 11.0% month-on-month (MOM) or 34,593 mt, driven by declines from most key suppliers like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, and Uruguay. Bolivia was the sole exception, partially offsetting the overall drop...

ANALYSIS: A Long-Awaited Look at the Latest Broiler Hatch Figures

After considerable anticipation, the USDA has begun releasing updates to its hatchery report, and the latest data largely confirms what market participants have been expecting. For the week ending November 15th, broiler-type production showed mixed signals throughout October and early November. Weekly egg sets stood at 248 million, reflecting a modest 1% year-over-year (YOY) decline from 2024’s elevated levels, but still ranking among the highest seasonal readings on record.

Chick placements followed a similar pattern when compared to much of the...

ANALYSIS: Wholesale Fresh Turkey Quotations Up 31% Year-Over-Year as Supply Tightens

Fresh wholesale turkey quotations currently sit at a value of $1.77, the second-highest seasonal price on record. This is up 31.1% year-over-year (YOY) and is 10.0% above the 5-year average for this time period. Meanwhile, last week’s retail values for fresh 16-24 lbs. turkeys were only higher than those of last year at the same time, by 19.5%.

In 2024, the retail value of fresh whole turkeys was held above the wholesale value up until the week...

ANALYSIS: Brazil-Mexico Beef Imports Ease Ahead of PACIC Renewal  

Brazil’s beef exports to Mexico moved lower in October, as participants reported being adequately covered for both short- and medium-term needs, reducing the urgency for additional bookings. Some participants had maintained a more cautious stance while the industry awaited the decision on the PACIC renewal, which was finally confirmed this week. The announcement removed a point of uncertainty, although participants indicated that it is still too early to determine whether the extension will materially influence short-term import activity...

ANALYSIS: China’s October 2025 Meat Imports Halt Four-Month Rally, Slump 10% MOM

China’s October 2025 meat imports, variety meats included, came in at about 490,000 metric tons (mt), slumping 9.9% compared to a month ago, according to preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Inbound tonnage pulled back nearly 55,000 mt, a marked reversal from August’s figures following four straight months of growth.

On an annual basis, imports fell 8.4%. The lingering impact of official alcohol curbs has carried into the second half, with upscale dining and hospitality still struggling to rebound, hindering...

Australia: Beef Production Hits Record Highs as Lamb and Mutton Turnoff Slows

Australia’s cattle industry continues to set new benchmarks, with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures confirming record beef production for the September quarter.

At the same time, sheep and lamb slaughter has eased significantly following last year’s peak turnoff.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)’s Manager for Market Information, Stephen Bignell said that strong seasonal conditions across northern Australia have underpinned the surge in cattle numbers.

Pork Exports Remain Strong in August; Beef Decline Continues; Lamb Exports Trend Higher

USDA has released August red meat export data, which was delayed due to the lengthy government shutdown. As compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), August data showed a relatively strong performance for U.S. pork exports and an uptick in shipments of U.S. lamb cuts. But beef exports were sharply lower than a year ago, impacted heavily by an impasse with China that has effectively locked U.S. beef out of the world’s largest import market.

August pork exports totaled 236,311 metric tons (mt), down 1% from a year ago, valued at $685.9 million (down 2%)....

AHDB - Cautious Global Pork Market Outlook for 2026

Rabobank’s latest pork report presents a cautious global pork market outlook heading into 2026. Despite easing feed costs due to record North American crop harvests and favourable planting conditions in South America, growth remains constrained by the influence of trade tensions, disease risks, and regulatory challenges. Producers are prioritising better productivity, biosecurity, and heavier carcass weights to offset limited herd expansion.

Regional Highlights

Europe (EU-27 + UK)

European pork production increased by 3.5% year-on-year (YOY) in July 2025, led by Spain (+7%) and Poland (+5%). Exports rose 3% YOY, supported by the recent US-China trade tensions. However...

The Retail Rundown: Cheaper Turkeys Hit Shelves Despite Wholesale Price Surge

This Thanksgiving, holiday shoppers might spot some relief: retail turkey prices have eased, even as wholesale values climb toward near-record highs.

Ongoing challenges, such as persistent bird flu outbreaks and relatively low hatch rates, have limited production all year, leaving supplies exceptionally thin ahead of the holiday. 

While retailers secure turkeys well in advance to build cold-storage inventories, frozen whole-bird stocks in 2025 remain near seasonal record lows, leaving little supply cushion...

Americans Plan to Dine Out More in 2026 as OpenTable Reports Strong Industry Growth

OpenTable’s newly released 2026 Dining Trends Report shows that despite mixed views on the economy, Americans continue to prioritize eating out, driving steady growth across the foodservice industry.

According to the analysis, dining out increased 8% year-over-year in 2025, and consumers expect for that to increase in 2026.

"As we head into 2026, there's good news for the restaurant industry: our new research shows that people continue to make room in their lives and budgets for dining out...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Q3 2025 Beef Production Soar to Record Highs, Cattle Kills Highest Since 1978

Australia’s Q3 2025 beef production surged to a record 759,270 metric tons (mt), as cattle slaughters hit their highest level since 1978, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Rising 5.8% from Q2, the quarterly increment of 41,379 mt was fueled by growth across all beef-producing regions, led by strong gains in Queensland, Australia’s top producer, and New South Wales...

Farm Bureau: Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Declines

Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for your friends and family will cost less than last year, marking the third straight year of price declines. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of Thanksgiving staples that make up a classic holiday feast for 10, which is $55.18 or about $5.52 per person.

This is a 5% decrease from 2024. Three years of declines don’t fully erase dramatic increases that led to a record-high cost of $64.05 in 2022.

The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey...

ANALYSIS: US Dairy Herd Shows Continued Robust Growth

The USDA’s September data showed a pronounced expansion in the US dairy herd in the 24 selected states; an increase of 235,000 cows year-over-year was reported. This marked acceleration from recent months. That gain helped lift national herd counts well above 2024 levels for much of 2025.

Producers are driving growth by retaining higher and mid‑producing cows for additional lactation cycles and keeping back added heifers on the farm. Those retention choices reflect the push for many operations to produce more milk to...

Andrews Meat Industries Acquires Prime Cut Meats to Boost Turnover and Expand Distribution 

Andrews Meat Industries (AMI), part of the JBS Australia food group, has acquired Queensland-based foodservice wholesaler Prime Cut Meats (PCM). This strategic acquisition is expected to increase AMI's turnover to over $650 million in the coming financial year.

Both family-managed businesses, AMI and PCM, share a commitment to quality and service, making this partnership a natural fit. AMI CEO Peter Andrews expressed confidence that the acquisition will augment PCM's reputation and enhance distribution capabilities in Queensland...

Proposed WOTUS Rule Protects Environment, Respects Farmers

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed Waters of the United States rule.

“Clean water is a top priority for farmers and ranchers – we depend on it. We are pleased that the new rule protects critical water sources while respecting the efforts of farmers to protect the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with...

NCBA Secures New WOTUS Proposed Rule that Protects Family Farmers and Ranchers

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the new proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The revised WOTUS rule comes after decades of advocacy by NCBA and our state affiliate partners to remove confusing and burdensome regulations on cattle farmers and ranchers.

“Waters of the U.S. has been a longstanding and frustrating issue for family farmers and ranchers. Every few years, the definition of a ‘water of the U.S.’ has changed. Often, this meant that small water features like prairie potholes or dry ditches suddenly fell under federal regulation,” said NCBA...