Veal Starter Calf Prices Have Leveled

Stabilization in the U.S. beef herd has caused veal starter calf prices to plateau after a period of record growth.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Vegetarian

Screen-print poster illustration of a weathered wooden livestock gate, evoking the shifting supply dynamics of the U.S. veal industry. — Veal starter calf prices have plateaued in the U.S. as stabilization in the national beef herd begins to alleviate market supply pressures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Veal starter calf prices have leveled off as the national beef herd begins to stabilize. This shift comes after years of record-high prices driven by a smaller beef herd and increased demand for crossbred calves.

Why it matters

The high value of beef-on-dairy crossbred calves in the beef supply chain has limited the number of animals available for veal production. These supply constraints, combined with rising feed costs, have pushed veal meat prices to historic highs.

The annual average price for a Holstein bull calf is nine times higher than four years ago. Additionally, whey powder prices rose from $0.3617 per pound in 2023 to $0.6644 per pound in 2026.

The details

Dairy farms are increasingly using beef-on-dairy crossbreeding to bolster the beef supply chain, with these calves garnering a $400-$500 premium over traditional Holstein bull calves. Veal producers, who utilize industry-standard group-raised and non-tethered housing, continue to face high operational costs that are expected to keep meat prices elevated through the end of 2026.

Beef herd levels were last seen at this low point in the 1960s.
Whey powder was priced at $0.3617 per pound in 2023.
Veal sales volume saw a 3.3% decrease between 2025 and 2026.
Whey powder reached $0.6644 per pound in 2026.
Elevated veal prices are projected to persist through the end of 2026.

Culture Shift

This trend reflects a broader evolution in agricultural practices where beef-on-dairy crossbreeding has fundamentally reshaped livestock supply chains. The transition away from traditional Holstein bull calf utilization mirrors a larger move toward optimizing output in response to long-term beef herd reduction.

Consumers in regions with significant demand, such as the Northeast, the Carolinas, and Florida, can expect veal prices to remain high rather than rising further. Shopping budgets will likely remain under pressure through the end of the year due to these sustained elevated costs.

The takeaway

While calf prices have leveled, the structural shift toward crossbreeding means that veal remains a premium product with limited supply. Shoppers should anticipate these higher prices to remain the industry standard as long as beef genetics remain prioritized.