U.S. Ground Beef Hits Record $6.90 a Pound as Cattle Herd Falls to 75-Year Low

4 articles · Updated · Money Talks News · May 18

$6.90 per pound ground beef set a U.S. record in recent BLS data, while steaks averaged $13.02, with ground beef up 77% since January 2020.
86.2 million head of cattle—the smallest U.S. herd since the early 1950s—has tightened supply after years of drought and record feed costs.
The U.S.-Mexico border closure to live cattle imports over New World screwworm has also cut off more than 1 million feeder cattle a year.
USDA expects beef prices to rise about another 10% in 2026, and analysts say herd rebuilding likely will not begin until 2028.

Drought, parasites, and rising costs are shrinking cattle herds. Is the era of affordable American beef over?

Can expanding grazing lands and processing plants solve the U.S. beef shortage before prices climb even higher?

With beef prices projected to stay high until 2030, is the American steak dinner becoming a permanent luxury item?