The Cattle Market Guys Podcast

Feeder cattle futures hit limit down after the USDA's May cattle on feed report landed sharply above market expectations — and the selloff didn't stop there. For producers with cattle to move this summer, the price risk picture changed fast, and Brock and Jim break down exactly what happened and what it means. In this Tuesday Market Update, Brock and Jim open with a detailed look at feeder steer prices across weight classes, where cash markets have been softening throughout May and model pro...

US cattle supplies have just hit a 75-year low — and the futures market is reacting with the kind of volatility that hasn't been seen in decades. At the same time, a landmark US-China trade agreement has committed Beijing to purchasing at least $17 billion in American agricultural products annually through 2028, explicitly reopening beef and poultry trade between the two nations. These two seismic forces — a historic supply squeeze and a major export market reopening simultaneously — are coll...

Feeder cattle prices are softening just as Washington threatens to flood the market with Brazilian beef — and the futures market is flashing warning signals that cattle producers cannot afford to ignore. The Trump administration is expected to temporarily reduce beef import tariffs on Brazilian product following a White House meeting between President Trump and Brazilian President Lula — a meeting reportedly arranged by JBS co-owner Joesley Batista, a Brazilian billionaire whose company stand...

Cattle futures have risen for five consecutive sessions amid growing concerns over the New World Screwworm outbreak, with emergency treatments now authorized by the FDA. The USDA has broken ground on a sterile fly facility in Texas as part of containment efforts, while expectations for reopening the US-Mexico border to cattle imports continue to fade. This health crisis is creating significant market volatility, with historical parallels suggesting producers should carefully time their market...

**Cattle futures slide for six consecutive sessions as demand concerns grow for high-priced beef. Front-month contracts settle at $374.15/cwt while cash markets see northern cattle trading down $2 from last week at $246 live and $386 dressed. Is this the beginning of a deeper price correction or just a temporary market adjustment? Brock and Jim analyze what this means for producers heading into summer.** In this week's market wrap-up, the Cattle Market Guys examine the technical selling and ...

**Front-month cattle futures hit contract high of $251.78, soaring $5.57 week-over-week! Heavy volume trading continues with 600-649lb steers moving at $420.81/cwt while lighter weights command premium prices. Packers are bidding aggressively as beef quality trends shift dramatically toward Prime and Choice grades.** In this week's market wrap-up, Brock and Jim analyze the striking upward movement in cattle futures alongside current cash market dynamics. The hosts dive deep into price differ...

BREAKING: Cattle prices hit record highs with 600-649lb steers averaging $417.13/cwt, up from $414.88 last week with heavy volume exceeding 6,600 head. Lighter steers (500-549lb) command even higher prices at $464.39/cwt, showing remarkable stability as we move into spring 2026. The USDA's April WASDE report projects these robust pricing trends will continue through much of the year despite expected increases in beef imports. In this week's market wrap-up, Brock and Jim analyze the current s...

Cattle markets show resilience in lighter weight categories despite broader market pressures, with 500-549 lb steers holding at $460.74/cwt - up from mid-March levels. However, the six-weight category continues its gradual decline from early March highs, now settling at $413.39/cwt. This divergence between weight classes, coupled with futures trailing live cattle prices, signals ongoing market uncertainty as the industry moves into the post-Easter period.In this week's episode of Tuesday Mark...

Record-high retail beef prices are testing consumer demand limits, with Choice cuts hitting $10.12/lb and all-fresh beef averaging $9.64/lb in February 2026. These unprecedented price levels raise critical questions about potential demand erosion and protein substitution effects. Market experts Brock Peters and Jim Thompson explore whether these prices are sustainable or if the industry is approaching a tipping point that could trigger a market correction.In this week's market update, Brock a...

Breaking news from the Texas Panhandle as a new respiratory pathogen threatens feedlot operations across the region. This emerging health challenge poses significant risks to cattle performance and profitability, with producers scrambling to update vaccination protocols and management strategies. The timing couldn't be worse, as the industry simultaneously grapples with major processing disruptions, including a worker strike at the crucial JBS Greeley facility.In this packed episode of Cattle...

Cattle markets show signs of stabilization as 500-549 pound steers hold steady at $468.85/cwt, down marginally from last week but maintaining a strong $10 premium over early February prices. Heavy volume movement in 600-649 pound steers signals robust feeder demand, despite growing concerns over global market pressures. With March futures lagging significantly behind cash prices and increased market volatility tied to Middle East tensions, producers face a complex pricing environment.In this ...