Beef Cattle Production in the US - Industry Market Research Report

High steaks: Beef producers will move to grass-fed and organic meats to combat competition

The beef cattle production industry in the United States includes farms and ranches that primarily raise cattle, including cattle for dairy herd replacements or feeding cattle to prepare them for consumption. In the current period, fluctuating feed prices and inefficiencies, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have caused volatility in the price of red meat. In 2021 alone, the price of red meat jumped 21.1% as drought conditions lowered herd numbers and increased the price of feed. While prices have begun to rise again, the larger losses of revenue in the early period have resulted in the industry's revenue falling at an annualized rate of 1.9% to $85.4 billion over the five years to 2023, including a decrease of 0.1% in 2023 alone as beef consumption continues to decline. Industry profit, measured as earnings before interest and taxes, has fallen from 4.5% in 2018 to 4.0% in 2023 as volatile input costs compress the margins of ranchers and feedlots.

This industry includes farms and ranches that primarily engage in raising cattle, including cattle for dairy herd replacements, or feeding cattle to fatten and prepare them for consumption. The industry also includes cattle feedlot operations, which produce high-quality beef.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.