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 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 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.

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.

The March World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed this month’s 2025-26 U.S. corn outlook is unchanged relative to last month. The season-average corn price received by producers is unchanged at $4.10 per bushel.

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.