Live Cattle Prices Hold at Record High

Live Cattle prices held at record $2.52 per pound supported by lower supply and steady demand.

A shrinking U.S.

cattle herd, now the smallest since the 1950s, and rising ranching costs have pushed prices up more than 25% over the past year.

Cattle slaughter is estimated to have fallen to about 2.2 million head in March, down from 2.5 million a year earlier, based on data from the U.S.

Department of Agriculture.

Despite tighter supply and higher prices, demand remains steady.