Livestock Marketing Information Center
In The Cattle Markets
Updated: 9/15/2025
Farm Income Forecast Shows Big Disparity Between Crop and Livestock Receipts
USDA’s September 2025 net farm income forecast, released Sept. 3, projects net farm income will rise sharply from 2024. While stronger performance in some sectors is a factor in the increase, much of it is tied to continued support from government disaster assistance.
Livestock Monitor
Updated: 9/12/2025
RETAIL MEAT PRICES CONTINUE TO CLIMB
Retail meat prices for August were released yesterday by the USDA Economic Research Service. Heading into the Labor Day weekend, all-fresh beef averaged $9.18 per pound, pork was $5.00 per pound, and the broiler composite was $2.49 per pound corresponding to year-over-year increases of +12.6%, +2.2%, and +1.9%, respectively.
TRADE UPDATE
Beef imports continue to rise with shipments from January through July totaling more than 3.4 billion pounds, up +30% (790 million pounds) from the same period last year. Brazil has emerged as the leading supplier this year with shipments totaling over 810 million pounds through the first seven months of the year, an increase of +91% (387 million pounds). Imports from Australia have risen +35% (186 million pounds) year-to-date through July to 719 million pounds.
TURKEY PRICES FOLLOW PATH OF RECORD HIGH PRICES SIMILAR TO 2022
Turkey markets are caught between production that has been slashed by avian influenza and consumers that are looking for meat alternatives to expensive beef, pork and chicken. Wholesale whole bird prices touched $1.60 per pound the last week in August according to USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS), up from $0.83 per pound at the start of the year and the highest price since May 2023. The first-time wholesale whole birds hit this price mark was August 2022, another year when avian influenza was creating havoc with turkey production.
Livestock Monitor (pdf)