Cattle Prices Hit Record Highs, Outperforming Traditional Assets

Against the backdrop of conventional investment wisdom, where assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin often capture the spotlight, a different kind of asset has recently delivered unexpectedly strong performance: cattle. While well-known figures in finance, such as Robert Kiyosaki, advocate for precious metals and cryptocurrencies, recent market movements have highlighted the potential in more tangible investments, specifically agricultural commodities like livestock, as prices for cattle futures and related exchange-traded funds reached new peaks.

Cattle Market Reaches Record Highs

Market data indicates a significant surge in cattle values. On May 13, 2025, the Live Cattle futures contract for June 2025 delivery (LEM25) climbed to an unprecedented level of $216.83. This marked a substantial leap past its previous high point, which was observed around $170 between 2014 and 2015. The rally is also reflected in investment vehicles like the WisdomTree Cattle ETF (CATL), which has seen a considerable advance of 19.18% year-to-date in 2025. Trading at approximately $8.56, this ETF is now positioned above its 2014 peak of $8.38 and is approaching its all-time high of $11.10, achieved after recovering from a low point in 2020.

Cattle prices hit a new all-time high 🐂🥩📈 pic.twitter.com/MBRInuIEDY

— Barchart (@Barchart) May 13, 2025

Robert Kiyosaki, the notable author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” had previously signaled his interest in specific types of livestock, including Wagyu cattle, during a February 2023 discussion. He emphasized a preference for investing in concrete resources such as food supplies and animals, contrasting this with a singular focus on traditional safe havens or digital currencies.

Factors Driving the Price Increase

The remarkable ascent in cattle prices appears disconnected from typical drivers like economic expansion or heightened consumer spending. Instead, it is primarily attributed to a confluence of challenging supply-side factors. Persistent drought conditions since 2020 have significantly reduced the available herd size. Additionally, rising costs for feed and elevated interest rates have put considerable financial pressure on cattle producers.

More recently, the situation was exacerbated by an outbreak of the New World Screwworm. This health issue prompted the United States Department of Agriculture to implement restrictions on livestock imports across the southern border, creating further imbalance between limited supply and ongoing demand, which consequently pushed prices upward.

Beyond Traditional Safe Havens

The strong performance of cattle assets stands in contrast to the more moderate gains seen this year in assets like Bitcoin, gold, and silver, which are frequently championed by investors seeking stores of value. While these assets have appreciated in 2025, none have managed to break their all-time price records within the current year, unlike cattle, which has done so in both the futures market and through related ETFs.

The success of the CATL ETF and cattle futures serves as a compelling illustration of how an unconventional investment perspective can yield substantial returns, particularly within complex economic environments. For many market observers, the recent performance of these agricultural assets lends credibility to Kiyosaki’s broader investment philosophy. His advocacy for genuine diversification through tangible assets appears increasingly relevant, especially in light of growing concerns regarding food security, climate change impacts, and the capacity of physical assets to withstand financial market volatility.