05/22/2026
High live cattle prices and low slaughter numbers… it will be interesting to say the least to see what the in store case prices will be.
Next available beef available that we have is not until July. Get on the list before it is filled 😁
U.S. CATTLE REPORT 🏆 April 2026 Cattle Slaughter 2nd Lowest In 56 Years (Since 1970) 🏆
April cattle slaughter in 2026 was reported at 2.342 million head, down 230,500 head or 9.0% from 2025’s total of 2.572 million head, and down 388,500 head or 14.2% from 2024’s total of 2.730 million head. The 2026 total marked the 2nd lowest April cattle slaughter in the past 56 years dating back to 1970. The only lower April total during that span occurred in 2020, when slaughter fell to 2.242 million head amid pandemic-related disruptions.
Historically, April cattle slaughter below 2.5 million head has been extremely rare, occurring in just 6 out of the last 57 years. Even more notable, April slaughter has dropped below 2.4 million head only three times since 1970, underscoring how historically tight current fed cattle supplies remain.
🏆 Years With the Lowest April Cattle Slaughter 🏆
1️⃣ 2020 — 2,241,700 Head
2️⃣ 2026 — 2,341,500 Head
3️⃣ 2015 — 2,383,300 Head
4️⃣ 1973 — 2,407,200 Head
5️⃣ 2016 — 2,409,100 Head
6️⃣ 2017 — 2,463,300 Head
7️⃣ 1979 — 2,532,800 Head
8️⃣ 2023 — 2,543,700 Head
9️⃣ 2005 — 2,560,300 Head
🔟 2012 — 2,569,500 Head
Link To Report in Comments...
Source: Rob Cook, [email protected]
