Livestock Marketing Information Center
In The Cattle Markets
Updated: 8/10/2026
Forage Production Insurance Changes
Earlier this summer, the USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced major changes to hay insurance for many states. The affected product, Forage Production, has historically insured against yield losses on alfalfa and alfalfa mixes in dairy states.
Livestock Monitor
Updated: 8/14/2026
GROCERY STORE MEAT PRICES UP +5.4% IN JULY
The Consumer Price Index for July from the Department of Labor came out this week showing a +3.4% increase from a year earlier, an increase that was down slightly from the +3.5% increase in June. Grocery store food prices were up +3.0% with meat department prices up +5.4%. Food purchased for away-from-home consumption was up +3.4%.
MID-YEAR TRADE UPDATE
Trade data was released for the month of June, which provides insights into trade flows through the first half of the year. Beef imports were up 354 million pounds (+12%) through the first six months of the year to 3.3 billion pounds. Brazil was the top supplier at 717 million pounds through June, but compared to a year ago, shipments were down 25 million pounds (-3%). The decline from Brazil was more than offset by higher year-to-date shipments from Australia (+17%), Canada (+3%), and New Zealand (+7%) to 700, 489, and 371 million pounds, respectively. Of note were higher imports from Argentina, which rose 71 million pounds (+111%) from a year ago to 136 million pounds and a 91 million pound (+30%) increase in imports from Mexico to 398 million pounds. Through the first half of the year, beef exports fell 221 million pounds (-16%) to 1.2 billion pounds. Lower shipments were seen to South Korea (-12%), Japan (-18%), Canada (-12%), and Mexico (-17%) to 303, 270, 103, and 130 million pounds, respectively.
INITIAL ESTIMATES OF CORN PRODUCTION SLIGHTLY BELOW EXPECATIONS
The USDA-National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) released their first estimates of crops to be harvested this fall based on “boots in the field” work at the beginning of August. Corn production was pegged at 16 billion bushels, down from 17 billion bushels last year. Average crop yield per acre was 180.7 bushels, which was down 6 bushels from last year. Some expectations for yield were in the 183-185 range. The smaller harvest supports an outlook for corn prices at the farm in the coming crop year in the $4.50-$5.00 range if USDA’s assumptions of buoyant exports and industrial usage are accurate. As the 2025-2026 crop year comes to a close, corn prices at the farm look to average around $4.15.
