Current State Of The Cattle Business, News, & Markets

It’s The Ranch It Up Radio Show! Join Jeff Tigger Erhardt, Rebecca Wanner AKA BEC and their crew as they hear the current state of the cattle business, from feeder calf sales, to heifer retention, to packer margins.  Plus we have the latest news, market recaps and lots more of the cow stuff wrapped into this all-new episode of the Ranch It Up Radio Show.  Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel. Cattle Industry News JBS USA has announced plans to close two facilities as part of an effort to improve efficiency and focus on future growth. The company will shut down its beef production plant in Pennsylvania, and its value-added processing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. JBS says the move is part of a larger strategy to modernize operations, improve efficiency, and expand production of value-added food products. The company says production from the two facilities will be shifted to other JBS operations, and customers should not see any disruption in supply.  The announcement comes after JBS invested in facilities in Texas, Georgia, and Iowa to expand  prepared foods production, modernize plants, and improve efficiency. Earlier this year, the company also combined its beef and case-ready businesses to create a more streamlined operation. The JBS CEO says JBS continues to invest heavily in the United States and the future of food production, while making sure its operations remain competitive and efficient. The company says consumer demand for protein remains strong and believes these changes will help position JBS for long-term growth. Last fall, Tyson Foods permanently closed its beef processing facility in Lexington, Nebraska, eliminating approximately 3,200 jobs and removing nearly 5% of total U.S. beef slaughter capacity. More recently, labor disputes have emerged at several major processing facilities. Approximately 1,700 workers at Cargill’s beef processing plant in Fort Morgan, Colorado, were locked out after contract negotiations between the company and union representatives failed to produce a ratified agreement. The Fort Morgan facility accounts for nearly 5% of total U.S. beef production. JBS also faced labor challenges earlier this year when nearly 4,000 workers at its Greeley, Colorado, beef plant participated in a strike before ultimately approving a new labor contract.   REFERENCE: https://meatingplace.com/jbs-to-close-beef-plant-value-added-facility/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_cid=1103020073&utm_campaign=MTGMCD260614015&utm_date=20260615-0300   https://www.northernag.net/jbs-announces-closure-of-beef-production-plant-and-value-added-facility/ New World Screwworm Update Here’s the latest on New World Screwworm.  As of Monday, June 15th, the total number of domestic cases is now at 12, 11 are considered active and 1 inactive with 0 active wildlife and feral cases.  Counties in Texas include Sutton, an inactive case discovered in a sheep.  Edwards county with cases discovered in cattle and goats.  Tom Green County, a case in cattle.  Zavala County, cases in cattle.  Gillespie (guh-LES-pee) County, a case in goats.  And La Salle County, cases in cattle.  In New Mexico, Lea County had that case in a dog.  Livestock and pet owners, wildlife game farms, producers, land users, remember to check stock often for open wounds and lethargic animals.  Report anything unusual and head to screwworm.gov for the latest confirmation maps, current status, treatment and U.S. readiness plans. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA is closely monitoring the New World screwworm situation and what it could mean for the current ban on live cattle imports from Mexico. Speaking at a press conference in Texas, Rollins was asked whether the U.S. could reopen the border to Mexican cattle imports now that New World screwworm has been detected in Texas. Rollins responded that the issue is "not lost on me" and that USDA will continue to watch the data very closely. The comments come after USDA confirmed several New World screwworm cases in Texas, including cases found in cattle, sheep, goats and a dog. Federal officials say surveillance, quarantines, treatment efforts, and sterile fly releases are being used to contain and eliminate the pest. The U.S. suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico in May of 2025 because of the northward spread of New World screwworm in Mexico. Before the border closure, the United States imported about 1.25 million head of cattle from Mexico each year, most of them feeder cattle headed to U.S. feedlots. Some livestock industry groups have questioned whether the ban remains effective, noting that  screwworm can spread through wildlife, pets, and other animals—not just cattle. Producers and feedlot operators have also said the closure has tightened cattle supplies and increased costs. Rollins did not provide any timeline for reopening the border but said USDA will continue evaluating the situation. Meanwhile, USDA's eradication efforts include expanded trapping programs, movement controls, and the release of sterile flies from facilities in Texas, Mexico, and Panama. REFERENCE: https://meatingplace.com/rollins-signals-usda-reviewing-impacts-of-prolonged-mexico-cattle-closure/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_cid=1103020073&utm_campaign=MTGMCD260612017&utm_date=20260613-0630 Chinese Trade & U.S. Beef Exports U.S. beef exports continued to slow in April, largely due to limited access to the Chinese market. Through the first four months of 2026, U.S. beef exports totaled just over 365,000 metric tons, down 11 percent from a year ago. Export value fell 7 percent to $3.13 billion, as tight cattle supplies and record-high global beef prices continue to impact trade. There is some positive news. Following a summit between President Trump and the Chinese President, China renewed export licenses for most U.S. beef plants in May. The U.S. beef industry had been largely shut out of China since March of 2025 during the early stages of the trade dispute. However, industry leaders say it remains unclear how quickly beef shipments to China will recover. Additional trade barriers still need to be resolved before exports can fully rebound. U.S. Meat Export Federation President Dan Halstrom says the renewed plant registrations are encouraging, but more obstacles must be addressed before U.S. beef regains its position in the Chinese market. Outside of China, demand for U.S. beef remains steady. Export volume to the rest of the world is roughly unchanged from a year ago, while export value is up 7 percent. Major buyers including South Korea, Japan, and Canada have purchased less U.S. beef this year. Mexico, however, continues to be a strong customer, with purchases holding steady and demand for variety meats increasing. Several markets are showing strong growth, including Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala. Halstrom says global demand for U.S. beef remains resilient despite high prices and limited supplies. He notes challenges remain, including weak foreign currencies and higher energy costs that are affecting consumer spending in many countries. This is Rebecca Wanner, AKA BEC with the latest news for the Ranch It Up Radio Show.  When we return from the break, the current state of the cattle business, feeder cattle marketing and lots more.  We’ll be right back.  REFERENCE: https://meatingplace.com/china-trade-impasse-still-weighed-on-us-beef-exports-in-april/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_cid=1103020073&utm_campaign=MTGMCD26061401&utm_date=20260615-0300 Featured Experts in the Cattle Industry Jake Tiedeman - Baldridge - Tiedeman Angus https://www.btangus.com/ Follow On Facebook: @BaldridgeTiedeman Angus   Shaye Wanner – Host of Casual Cattle Conversation https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ Follow on Facebook: @cattleconvos Contact Us with Questions or Concerns Have questions or feedback? Feel free to reach out via: Call/Text: 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420 Email: [email protected] Follow us: Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow YouTube: Subscribe to Ranch It Up Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RanchItUp Catch all episodes of the Ranch It Up Podcast available on all major podcasting platforms. Discover the Heart of Rural America with Tigger & BEC Ranching, farming, and the Western lifestyle are at the heart of everything we do. Tigger & BEC bring you exclusive insights from the world of working ranches, cattle farming, and sustainable beef production. Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner (BEC) and their mission to promote the Western way of life at Tigger and BEC. https://tiggerandbec.com/ Industry References, Partners and Resources For additional information on industry trends, products, and services, check out these trusted resources:   American Gelbvieh Association: https://gelbvieh.org/ EquineMarket.Com: https://www.equinemarket.com/ Imogene Ingredients: https://www.imogeneingredients.com/ Jorgensen Land & Cattle: https://jorgensenfarms.com/#/?ranchchannel=view LivestockMarket.Com: https://www.livestockmarket.com/ RanchChannel.Com: https://ranchchannel.com/ RFD-TV: https://www.rfdtv.com/ Rural Radio Network: https://www.ruralradio147.com/ Sire Buyer: https://www.sirebuyer.com/ Westway Feed Products: https://westwayfeed.com/ Wrangler: https://www.wrangler.com/