The Stock Contractor's Path

Why This Book Matters Right Now The cattle industry is at a crossroads. U.S. cattle inventory hit a record low in 2025, prompting live cattle futures to surge above $235 per hundredweight. The total U.S. beef herd, including calves, stood at 94.2 million head — the smallest herd in 74 years. Yet cattle and calf receipts are forecast to increase 15.7% to reach $130.6 billion. This means opportunity — for those who know how to seize it. The "Yellowstone effect" is real. Ranch sales jumped 25% in the first half of 2025 as deep-pocketed buyers and families snapped up Western properties. The show has inspired a new generation to dream of the ranching life — but dreaming isn't enough. Regenerative ranching is going mainstream. McDonald's announced a $200 million investment over the next seven years to promote regenerative grazing practices across 4 million acres in up to 38 states. The industry is shifting — and stock contractors who understand these trends will be the ones who thrive. The stock contracting industry is growing. The PRCA contract extension guarantees $264 million in contestant purse and stock contractor compensation through 2035. The number of stock contracting companies has grown from 20 to 87. But with growth comes competition — and competition demands a brand. The question isn't whether you can work cattle. It's whether you can build something that outlasts you. Read more