A new year brings with it new opportunities and challenges for cattle producers. Here are four trends to watch in the first half of 2026, and what they might mean for cattle producers navigating a complex market. 1. Interest rates to drop. The Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas, Kansas City, and Chicago all survey lenders in their regions about feeder cattle loan rates. These rates peaked in the second half of 2023. Livestock loan rates averaged 7.75% in the latest Kansas City data, more than a percentage point less than the high mark of 8.96% in 2023.  Rates should...

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