The outlook for beef production in 2027 is forecast at 25.31 billion pounds, a 0.9% decline from 2026. A slight decline in production next year is based on fewer cattle slaughtered that is only partially offset by heavier anticipated carcass weights.

The May Feed Outlook report shows global coarse grains supply in 2026-27 is projected at 2,156 million metric tons (MT), 15 million MT lower than 2025-26. Spurring the projected supply decrease are expected declines in production, particularly in the U.S. but with notable declines in other major producing countries, including the European Union and Argentina.

The May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed the 2026-27 U.S. corn outlook is for reductions to supply, total use and ending stocks with higher expected prices. The corn crop is projected at 16 billion bushels, down 6% from a year ago on declines to both area and yield.

Overall, the 2026 beef production forecast is lowered to 25.79 billion pounds, only 20 million pounds below last month’s projection. Compared to last month’s expectations, the pace of steer and heifer slaughter was slower in March.

The April Feed Outlook report shows global coarse grains production is raised for 2025-26. The foreign 2025-26 coarse grains supply forecast is raised slightly this month, driven primarily by an increased production forecast, with slight increases to beginning stocks and imports. 

The April World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed this month’s 2025-26 U.S. corn outlook is unchanged relative to last month. Feed and residual use is unchanged at 6.2 billion bushels reflecting reported disappearance during the December-February quarter as indicated in the March 31 Grain Stocks report.

The agreement puts 3,800 workers back on the job after a strike starting March 16. The Greeley plant slaughters approximately 6,000 head a day, for 5% of U.S. beef-producing capacity. The strike forced JBS to shift cattle deliveries to its other locations in the U.S., which were already not at full capacity during the low cattle supply.

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