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.

On Feb. 4, union members working for the JBS beef processing facility in Greeley, Colorado, voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike at the plant, citing unfair labor practices.

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.

In a move to safeguard U.S. livestock and ranching operations from the screwworm threat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Jan. 21, 2026, announced the launch of the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, a major funding initiative designed to accelerate innovative tools, technologies and strategies to combat the northward spread of New World screwworm (NWS).

The January Feed Outlook report shows estimates of the 2025-26 corn crop were elevated to 17 billion bushels. Corn production was already a record high prior to the update, subsequently the U.S. corn harvest was augmented by gains in harvested area – up 1.2 million acres and 1.3% from the prior forecast to 91.3 million.

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.

Two major beef production companies announced closures at beef facilities to take place in 2026 in the headwinds of lower cattle supplies.