It’s early January, and while there is a whole year to look forward to — goals to set, plans to make, etc. — there’s also a year’s worth of headlines to reflect and celebrate upon.

There were some definite setbacks in the agriculture industry but since I tend to believe I’m an optimist at heart, I’ve compiled four big wins for cattle producers in 2025.

1. Strong Markets Continued

The high prices of 2024 continued into 2025, despite predictions they might let up due to herd rebuilding. Cattle farmers and ranchers were able to see real revenue for their work as prices for live cattle soared, peaking in mid-October before comments from President Trump caused a dip in prices.

Thankfully, prices rebounded and are once again at previously unseen levels heading into 2026. While there are some industry analysts who maintain herd rebuilding has started, I am not yet convinced of such and believe these prices will last throughout 2026 and into early 2027. Only time will tell but I’ve got my fingers crossed!

2. New World Screwworm Progress

You may be wondering, “How is a destructive and harmful parasite migrating toward the southern U.S. border a good thing?!” Bear with me.

It’s not often when all cattle producers agree to point their ships in the same direction — there are so many ways to raise cattle, with variations occurring across geographies, traditions and economic mindsets. However, when it became apparent the New World screwworm had become a gigantic red flag moving north, it was refreshing to see cattle producers unite to keep it at bay. The United State Department of Agriculture responded accordingly by locking down the border to live cattle imports, investing in a sterile fly facility in central Mexico and designating funding for another facility in south Texas to be completed in 2026.

These efforts working in tandem will hopefully limit any potential damage to cattle herds as the pest creeps north. Hopefully, cold winter months can slow them down.

3. Moisture!

We are so thankful to have had a break in the drought this year. The previous three to four years had significant drought that affected our ability to grow grass and store forage. This year, we had enough moisture to have lush grass all summer and fall. We did have a drier than normal fall but remained out of a significant drought status.

Many states in the southeast, Midwest and Great Plains had similar situations, so if we have another good year of moisture, I wouldn’t be surprised if herd rebuilding started this summer. The southwest was dry again, but not as severe as past years. In fact, in the last month, many southwestern states received much-needed moisture to boost their farms and ranches!

Overall, 2025 seemed to be a positive year for moisture across the nation, as compared to past years.

4. More Local Beef Processors

This initiative kicked off in 2022 when President Biden’s administration allocated $1 billion devoted to developing and opening more small meat processors across the nation. In 2024, another $110 million and it appears to have really taken off and provided more cattle producers access to local meat processing. In my area of Kansas alone, two facilities have either broken ground or opened to harvesting animals in the last two years.

As a producer who sells freezer beef direct to our customers, I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to have access to cutting-edge, safe, affordable and certified meat processing businesses. The increased appreciation and demand for local or direct-to-consumer beef is fabulous but at one point created a shortage of butcher appointments. Thankfully, with new plants opening every year, that chapter seems to be behind us.

P.S. If you’re looking for local beef, be sure to check out the Shop Kansas Farms website to connect with farmers and ranchers near you.

Even though winter is a time to hibernate, rest and recuperate, I cannot help but feel excitement at a new calendar year for our ranch to grow, adapt, learn and succeed. I also have a feeling of pride for what was completed in 2025 and hope to build upon it. It’s a privilege to share a little bit of our ranch life here — thanks for following along and as always, we welcome questions.

Happy New Year!

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