Montana Beef Prices Are Soaring, But Ranchers Never See The Money

Why Aren't Montana Ranchers Seeing Higher Beef Prices?

If your family is anything like mine, with beef prices this high, you're probably eating a lot more chicken and pork at dinnertime.

Oddly enough, while beef prices keep climbing, a lot of Montana ranchers say they aren't seeing that extra money make its way into their bank accounts.

America's Cattle Herd Falls To A 75-Year Low

According to KTVQ Montana ranchers are dealing with some financial strain as America's cattle herd remains near historic lows.

The USDA reported that the national cattle herd fell to 86.2 million head in January. That's the lowest level in 75 years. While the July inventory came in at about 94.2 million, the smaller herd is still having an impact on the beef industry.

Of course, consumers have felt that pain at the grocery store, with beef prices jumping nearly 12% from June of last year to June of this year, according to the USDA.

With prices that high, you would probably assume ranchers are making a killing. But Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer says that's not necessarily the case.

Photo by Stijn te Strake on Unsplash

Why Montana Beef Prices Don't Tell the Whole Story

Schweitzer told KTVQ that many Montana ranchers aren't rebuilding their herds because the cost of doing business has gotten so high.

He also argues that the large meatpacking companies, often referred to as "the big four," have too much influence over what ranchers actually get paid for their cattle. He points specifically to the USDA ending a Biden-era partnership with state attorneys to enforce antitrust laws in September 2025.

That's his argument, and it's important to point out that it isn't necessarily the only explanation for what's happening.

But Schweitzer put it pretty bluntly: