How Livestock Is Stabilizing Farms in a Tough Crop Market

During this episode, beef prices at the store feel painful, yet many livestock ranchers are finally breathing a bit easier. We unpack that paradox by tracing tight cattle supply, steady domestic demand, and export strength—then contrast it with row crops, where corn, soybeans, and wheat are squeezed by high input costs, softer demand, and Brazil’s bumper harvests. You’ll hear why economists see input costs, not interest rates, as the main barrier through 2026, and how mixed operations can use livestock to stabilize a struggling crop balance sheet.