ANALYSIS: Multiple Factors Drive the Decrease in US Cattle Slaughter

Cattle slaughter has declined significantly in 2026, driven by several converging factors: reduced feeder imports from Mexico due to New World Screwworm concerns, low cattle inventory across the US, and elevated cattle prices.

For the week ending March 14, 2026, cattle slaughter reached 525,000 head, roughly 19% below COVID-era levels for the same week. The next closest slaughter rate for that week was in 2016, which still displayed levels above 2026 by 3.3%.

Despite 2022 recording the highest average...

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