Ranchers Struggle to Grow Cattle Herd as Beef Prices Soar

North Dakota rancher says others are barely staying afloat with current herds

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:51am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a premium, polished metal cattle tag and a handful of freshly harvested wheat grains on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing the abstract challenges of modern cattle ranching.As beef prices soar, the struggle to grow cattle herds exposes the complex realities facing modern ranchers.Mandan Today

Beef prices have hit record highs, but ranchers say it's not easy to simply grow their cattle herds to meet the increased demand. Factors like high feed costs and labor shortages are making it difficult for ranchers to expand, even as the average price of ground beef is up 48% from a year ago.

Why it matters

The inability of ranchers to quickly grow their herds is keeping beef supplies tight and prices high, impacting consumers who are already dealing with high inflation. This highlights the complexities of the beef supply chain and the challenges ranchers face in responding to market demands.

The details

For a host of reasons, ranchers are reluctant to grow the national cattle herd, which is now at its smallest level in more than 75 years. North Dakota rancher Stephanie Hatzenbuhler says others are struggling to stay afloat with the cattle they currently have, citing issues like high feed costs and labor shortages.

  • The average price of all U.S. uncooked ground beef is up 48% from March 2021.

The players

Stephanie Hatzenbuhler

A North Dakota rancher who says others are struggling to stay afloat with their current cattle herds.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Adding cattle makes sense for some people, but others are struggling to stay afloat with the cattle they have.”

— Stephanie Hatzenbuhler, North Dakota rancher

The takeaway

The high beef prices are not easily solved, as ranchers face a variety of challenges in growing their herds to meet demand. This highlights the complexities of the beef supply chain and the need for solutions that address the underlying issues faced by ranchers.