414: The $4.4 Billion Meat Trend Beef Producers Need to Watch with Abbi Groves

Beef prices are high, supplies are tight, and the U.S. herd has not fully entered a rebuilding phase, yet beef demand remains remarkably strong. In this episode, livestock economist Abbi Groves joins Lauren to break down what is happening across the beef industry, starting with the booming meat snack category and the consumer trends behind it. They also dive into heifer retention, the outlook for herd rebuilding, beef-on-dairy, cattle supplies and what continues to drive consumers to buy high-quality beef even at record prices.Links:Connect with Abbi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbigail-groves/Meat Snack Growth: https://www.cobank.com/knowledge-exchange/proteins-promise-for-meat-snack-growthCattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_shareFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusa.shop/products/cattleusa-drive-premium-daily-newsletter?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&brid=YWdncwFNXt0EmdzFy5cJJBp84J9gCattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Key Takeaways:Meat snack sales have grown nearly 50% in four years and surpassed $4.4 billionProtein, health, convenience and simple ingredients are driving meat snack demandMore than $8 billion has been invested in animal protein processingThe beef herd is between continued liquidation and true rebuildingHeifer retention could tighten beef supplies before the herd growsMeaningful herd growth may not show up until 2028Beef-on-dairy is adding high-quality cattle to the beef systemStrong beef demand continues despite record pricesConsumers are changing cuts but still finding ways to buy beefGenetics, feeding and management have helped build today's high-quality beefChapters:00:00 – Meet Abbi Groves01:56 – The $4.4 Billion Meat Snack Market05:13 – Meat Snacks and Processing Investment07:47 – What Consumers Really Want09:48 – Why Meat Snacks Are Here to Stay12:05 – Where Are We With Herd Rebuilding?16:19 – Understanding Beef-on-Dairy19:36 – Beef-on-Dairy and Producer Profitability22:06 – Why Beef Demand Remains Strong24:18 – What Consumers Are BuyingAbbi Groves, CoBank, livestock economist, beef demand, consumer demand, beef industry, cattle industry, beef prices, cattle prices, beef supply, cattle supply, herd rebuilding, heifer retention, beef cow herd, beef cattle, beef producers, cattle producers, ranchers, beef-on-dairy, dairy cattle, beef genetics, beef quality, meat demand, meat snacks, beef jerky, meat sticks, protein demand, animal protein, meat processing, beef processing, cattle economics, livestock economics, beef market, cattle market, beef outlook, cattle outlook, consumer trends, protein trends, meat snack sales, food trends, convenience foods, high-protein foods, beef consumption, beef purchasing, cattle markets, agricultural economics, livestock markets, U.S. beef industry, Cattle USA Daily