August 29, 2025

Over 50 Percent Rise in NWS Cases in Mexico

Cases of New World screwworm infections in Mexico have climbed by more than 50 percent since July. As of August 17, Reuters said Mexico has documented 5,086 cases of the flesh-eating screwworm in animals, a 53 percent rise from July, according to numbers released by the Mexican government. The updated numbers previously unavailable to the public show 649 currently active cases of screwworm infections. “That’s incredibly concerning,” said Neal Wilkins. He told Drovers that a fifty percent increase in the number of cases from July to August, particularly in extreme heat, means that Mexico hasn’t gotten the parasite under control. An NCBA spokesman said the increase in the number of NWS cases shows that the New World screwworm is a very present and real threat. Drovers said the increase in the number of reported cases likely comes from Mexican cattle producers more closely inspecting their cattle and reporting any suspicious wounds or pests. 

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U.S. and Canadian Cattle Inventory Down One Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined to total 106 million head on July 1, 2025, which was down one percent from the 107 million head on July 1, 2023. All cows and heifers that have calved totaled 42.5 million head, and that number was also down one percent from two years ago. All cattle and calves in the U.S. totaled 94.2 million head on July 1, 2025, down one percent from 95.4 million head on July 1, 2023. All cows and heifers that have calved totaled 38.1 million head, down by one percent from two years ago. All cattle and calves in Canada as of July 1, 2025, totaled 11.9 million head, which was up one percent from the 11.8 million head on July 1, 2024. All cows and heifers that have calved in Canada totaled 4.4 million head, which was up slightly from last year.  

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Illinois Sees Falling Farmland Values and Cash Rents

Prices paid for Illinois farmland dropped slightly during the first half of 2025. That’s according to information from the Illinois Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Survey respondents indicated that while 31 percent expected no changes in prices paid, the balance reported the following declines: down 2.2 percent for excellent-quality farmland, down 3.5 percent for both good and average-quality land, and  prices were three percent lower for fair-quality land. In addition to the reported drop in prices paid, most respondents expect farmland prices to decline slightly or remain stable during the rest of 2025: 49 percent expect declines of under three percent, and 33 percent expect prices to remain the same. Most farm managers are also expecting cash rents to be lower in 2026 compared to this year by between $15 and $20 per acre. Rents on excellent land are expected to drop from $391 to $374 an acre.

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Fresh Pork Expected to Be More Price-Competitive with Beef and Chicken

A National Pork Board report expects pork to be even more price-competitive with beef and chicken during the fall. The pork supply continues to fall short of expectations. In the last month, slaughter is down 3.3 percent, and when combined with the decline in weights, production has been down four percent. With Labor Day weekend, there will be some volatility in terms of pricing and supply. Hog slaughter is expected to quickly climb above 2.5 million head per week by mid-September. This will likely ease some of the tight supply. Labor-to-bone product has been a concern and could become more of an issue as slaughter moves higher in the fall. Ham prices are expected to trade firmly as export buyers are short-bought. Bellies should also ease lower in September and October. October is Pork Month, and rib prices are already above last year’s. 

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Denver Lamb Jamb Tour 2025 a Big Success

The 2025 Lamb Jam Tour visited Denver on August 20 and was a great success. The sold-out event was filled with delicious American Lamb bites as over 200 people, media guests, and ALB board members joined the celebration, enjoying an unforgettable experience centered around flavor and creativity. Guests tasted seven unique lamb dishes from some of the top chefs in Denver, a demonstration from Western Daughters Butcher Shop, and an interactive trivia session. The winners walked away with lamb cut giveaways. “The Denver Lamb Jam event was a truly unforgettable evening that showcased the versatility of American Lamb while celebrating our local farmers, ranchers, and chefs,” said ALB Chair Jeff Ebert. Attendees also sampled an assortment of locally-sourced sheep’s milk cheese from a nearby specialty cheese shop, which was a perfect pairing with the lamb offerings. The event wrapped with the crowning of the 2025 Denver Lamb Jam Master Chef. 

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Rural Mainstreet Index Falls Below Growth Neutral

For the sixth time this year, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral. That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region dependent on agriculture or energy. The overall reading for August dropped to 48.1 after rising above growth-neutral to 50.6 in July and 51.9 in June. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing neutral growth. “Weak agriculture commodity prices for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the ten-state region,” said Dr. Ernie Goss of Creighton University. “Bank CEOs and chief loan officers expect almost one-fifth, or 19.5 percent, of grain farmers to experience negative cash flow for 2025.” According to Jeff Bonnett, an ag banker in Illinois, “As current prices for corn and soybeans are still below break-even, the majority of the state’s producers will struggle to show operational profitability.”

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