The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released its semiannual Cattle report on Jan. 30. The total of all cattle and calves on Jan. 1, 2026, was estimated at 86.155 million head, a year-over-year decline of 316,900 head, or 0.4%.

The February World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed this month’s 2025-26 U.S. corn outlook is for greater exports and lower ending stocks. Exports are raised 100 million bushels to 3.3 billion, reflecting sales and shipments to date.

President Donald Trump on Feb. 6 signed an executive order that temporarily expands the amount of beef the U.S. can import from Argentina, further solidifying his stance that Argentine imports will help lower the grocery bill for American consumers.

Based on preliminary slaughter data for the month of December, the forecast for fourth-quarter 2025 beef production is raised 50 million pounds from last month. The change reflects a marginal increase in fed cattle and cow slaughter that more than offsets a decline in bull slaughter from last month’s forecast.

Beef exports data for September took another downturn in September 2025, according to data released by the USDA. As expected, beef exports took another hit in September, with total beef exports dropping to the lowest level in five years.

The January World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed this month’s 2025-26 U.S. corn outlook is for larger production; higher feed and residual use; reduced food, seed and industrial use; and greater ending stocks. Corn production is estimated at 17 billion bushels, up 269 million on a 0.5-bushel increase in yield to 186.5 bushels per acre and a 1.3-million acre rise in harvested area.

The December World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed this month’s 2025-26 U.S. corn outlook is for greater exports and lower ending stocks. Exports are raised 125 million bushels to 3.2 billion, reflecting shipments to date.