This month’s outlook for 2026 beef production is down 110 million pounds from last month to 25.81 billion pounds. This is the result of a slower than previously anticipated pace of cattle slaughter in February and early March that is partially offset by heavier than previously expected carcass weights. The projection remains about 1% below 2025 levels and 9% below the record high set in 2022.

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A rumor started on March 14 claimed an unidentified Texas feedlot virus “sparked panic across southern cattle markets.” Multiple organizations within the Texas beef industry have rebutted this claim as false.

Check out the poll results from the February 2026 Progressive Cattle newsletters.

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The March Feed Outlook report shows global coarse grains production is raised for 2025-26. Foreign 2025-26 coarse grains production forecast is raised slightly this month, with gains expected across barley, corn, oats and sorghum and small reductions expected for millet and rye. The largest increase is for corn production – particularly Ukraine.