USDA announced Dr. Justin Benavidez as its new Chief Economist on January 6, 2026. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) welcomed the appointment, saying cattle producers and ranchers rely on dependable USDA economic analysis when making business decisions.
What USDA’s Chief Economist does
The Office of the Chief Economist provides independent economic analysis for USDA decision-making, including market outlooks, policy evaluation and global agricultural assessments. The Chief Economist leads the department’s economic analysis and forecasting. That work helps explain why cattle organizations emphasized the value of reliable data in their responses to Benavidez’s appointment.
USDA says outgoing Chief Economist Dr. Seth Meyer oversaw economic forecasting and analysis, including leadership of the World Agricultural Outlook Board and the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. Meyer’s USDA service began in 2021 and concluded with his retirement.
Who is Justin Benavidez?
Before joining USDA, Benavidez was Chief Economist for the majority staff of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, where he analyzed farm bill policy, commodity markets and agricultural legislation. He previously worked as an agricultural economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, focusing on farm and ranch management, production economics and policy analysis. USDA reports that he holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University. USDA’s appointment announcement
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Why cattle groups welcomed the appointment
NCBA: producers need useful data for daily decisions
Ethan Lane, NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, said cattle producers depend on USDA analysis in running their operations. He described the Chief Economist’s role as crucial to getting quality data to farmers and ranchers, called Benavidez highly qualified, and said NCBA was glad to continue working with him. NCBA’s statement
TSCRA: accurate analysis matters to ranching livelihoods
Carl Ray Polk Jr., TSCRA president, said the association was confident Benavidez would continue ensuring cattle raisers receive high-quality, useful data. Polk connected accurate economic analysis to ranching business decisions and livelihoods. TSCRA’s statement
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the appointment does—and does not—establish
The appointment places Benavidez at the head of USDA’s economic analysis and forecasting work. The announcements and association statements explain why the role matters to cattle producers, but they do not establish that the change will affect cattle prices, alter forecasts, or produce a particular policy outcome.
Successful Farming reported that TSCRA had more than 28,000 members ranching in Texas, Oklahoma and surrounding states. That is the publication’s reported association figure, not an independently verified current membership count. Successful Farming’s January 7, 2026, report
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