CHICAGO, Illinois: U.S. cattle farmers have either started rebuilding their herds or are close to it, according to Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King. This comes after the cattle supply dropped to its lowest level in 74 years.

Due to the shortage, beef prices have increased, and meat companies such as Tyson, Cargill, and JBS are paying more to purchase cattle for processing.

Farmers had reduced their herds during a prolonged drought, which made it more complex and more expensive to feed and raise cattle. Instead of keeping animals to have more calves, many farmers sold them for meat. Continued dry weather over the past year has led many farmers to delay rebuilding, which typically takes around two years.

“Everyone, including me, is cautious about saying the rebuilding has begun,” King said during a webcast of BMO’s Farm to Market Conference. “But if it hasn’t started yet, we’re very close.”

Tyson reported an adjusted operating loss of $181 million in its beef business for the six months ended March 29.