Beef cow slaughter in the United States fell 15.5% year on year in the first half of 2026 and is on track to reach its lowest level on record, according to Kenny Burdine of the University of Kentucky in an article published by Beef Magazine.
The decline follows a reduction of more than 500,000 head in 2025 and is one of the main factors behind the lower availability of lean beef in the US market.
The contraction is part of a broader decline in activity. Total federally inspected cattle slaughter fell 7.8% in the first half of the year and, if that pace continues through year-end, it would be the largest percentage decline since 2004. Steer slaughter fell 6.9% and heifer slaughter declined 10.9%.
Although dairy cow slaughter increased by slightly more than 5% so far this year, that growth did not offset the decline in beef cow slaughter. Overall cow slaughter fell by nearly 5%, while dairy cows accounted for 57% of the total, the highest proportion since 2008.
The combination of limited supplies and firm demand for ground beef continues to support high cull cow prices. Burdine also noted that the beef cow culling rate is on track to remain below 8% in 2026, indicating that producers are keeping breeding cows in production for longer.
The analyst said that, for now, the decline in cow slaughter is having a greater impact on herd rebuilding than heifer retention. Although heifer slaughter fell 10.9%, its share of total slaughter remained close to the levels of the past three years, with no clear signs yet of widespread retention.
