CATTLE CONCEPTS
Market Report
Greenville Livestock Auction
November 5, 2025
Total: 918
Notes: Sourced from GLA site linked here.
Fairview Sale Barn
November 6, 2025
Total: 616
Feeder: 616 (100%)
Trade: Active trade with moderate demand.
United Producers
November 18, 2025
Total: 224
Feeder: 62
Slaughter: 162
Notes: Sale report sourced from UPI linked here.
Illinois Weekly Summary
November 17, 2025
Total: 981
Feeder: 0
Slaughter: 981 (100%)
by Devin Bollman
There is a lot of attention being given to our industry in the media currently, specifically about the retail cost of beef. Political grandstanding, global trade deals, animal disease threats, and general watercooler commentary are all contributing factors in the public discussion about the price of red meat, and what should be done about it.
Illinois Beef Association is here to advocate for you, the cattle farmer and the ultimate producer of beef. Our mission centers around work to preserve your freedom to operate in an open market, uninterrupted, while also promoting the benefits of safe, nutritious and plentiful beef consumption in the marketplace. So, we’ve been busy working to correct misinformation of late, while also focusing on the facts: beef is popular with consumers because it’s nutritious, versatile and very high-quality. There’s plenty of beef to go around. And beef is priced where it’s at because of demand, with some influence from seasonal factors and specific supply considerations. All in all, when you consider what inflation looks like across the economy, it’s priced about where it should be.
I wanted to share some data that’s available online, to support your advocacy and communication on behalf of our industry and your family farm. With the holidays upon us, you may find yourself around a Thanksgiving dinner table with neighbors or friends who want to know, “what’s really going on with beef prices?”
Anne-Marie Roernik is a data guru and market research expert when it comes to groceries, consumer costs, and pricing in the meat aisle. She wrote a piece earlier this week looking at consumer shopping metrics for the month of October that’s very insightful. Key info in the findings: inflation’s impact on meat prices, across all proteins, is driving up consumer prices more than five percent this year. But even with prices going up, consumer buying has been going up, too. Very important in the discussion – volume, not just dollar value, is also increasing. In October, alone, U.S. ground beef purchases saw
a two percent volume increase compared to the same period last year. When you look back over all the year so far, ground beef volume is up four percent compared to 2024. Overall beef volume purchases of all cuts have increased five percent in 2025, compared with the prior year. Where does this gain come from? Consumer purchases of processed meats, like ham, bacon, and lunchmeat, are down significantly. And ground turkey is taking a hit this year, too.
We know cattle markets are strong, with recent volatility on all this political and media rhetoric, but that doesn’t directly affect retail meat prices, at least not in the short term. We know as farmers we’re price takers, not price makers.
The biggest single influence currently in the beef pricing complex is demand. Shoppers keep buying us out at the meat case. Month-overmonth, sales volume has grown, in step with price. Yes, it’s gotten more expensive. But they’re still buying it, and in most cases, they’re buying more of it over purchasing other, often cheaper, protein options in the retail case. And you get the credit for that success. You’ve made it, on your farm, in your cattle.
You have built a product the consumer prefers, and they’re willing to pay for it. Your high percentage of choice and prime cattle have forged a strong following in U.S. households.
Taste is winning us all the battles in the meat case, and according to retail market research, beef is garnering about 75 percent of every new dollar spent on meat purchases. Consumers want what tastes good, and shoppers buy what their family eats best. Truly, you’ve made the mantra ring true: beef is what’s for dinner for so many shoppers.
Some extra reading in your free time:
BEEF magazine: An open letter regarding beef
Independent Processor: Beef and chicken power October meat department gains
DeKalb County Farm Bureau | Friday, December 5 Fairview Sale Barn | Wednesday, December 10 Register online at www.illinoisbeef.com
Northern Illinois Cattlemen Connect Education Series December 5 | DeKalb County Farm Bureau Join us for our Northern Illinois CCES Meeting! From on feed to on rail, our knowledgeable speakers and demonstrators will cover everything you need to know in the final stages of the beef production cycle. This full day of programming will also feature in-person Beef Quality Assurance trainings with both English and Spanish courses available. A full day’s registration includes morning refreshments, BQA Training, lunch, educational sessions, and an on-farm demonstration- $25/IBA Members and $40/Non-Members Register online at www.illinoisbeef.com or call the office at (217) 787-4280.
Please preregister by Tuesday, November 25, 2025.