2025.09.19 | Beef Squeeze: High Rates Ignite a Farm Crisis

This episode investigates the historic squeeze on the U.S. beef supply, citing USDA data that reveals August marketings and future cattle placements have fallen sharply, reaching the lowest levels since 1996. American farm finances are simultaneously under the greatest stress since the 1980s, facing four straight years of weakening balance sheets and sustained high input costs. We connect this systemic crisis directly to monetary policy, explaining how the Federal Reserve’s high interest rates translate into immediate operational pain for farmers whose loans are tied to variable rates. Tune in to understand why macroeconomics is now vital to food security and how you should plan for persistent high beef prices and supply fragility for at least the next two years.