ShayLe Stewart

Although I believe the cattle market's long-term trajectory is bullish, I'm led to believe this upcoming week could present some challenges.

Pre-report estimates that came in sharply lower than a year ago are pointing toward a bullish March 1 USDA Cattle on Feed report on Friday.

With boxed beef prices trading higher, the cash cattle market was able to trade $5 to $9 higher last week. Traders are fully supportive of the board, and it seems as though the live cattle complex may be ready to charge into its...

Beef demand has improved over the course of the last two weeks as consumers anxiously anticipate spring and prime grilling weather. Monitoring consumer demand could help market participants better understand the direction the...

If beef demand and fed cash cattle prices continue to find consistent support, there's a good chance that the market may have changed its direction last week and could be headed towards a rally in the second quarter.

As traders, cattlemen and everyone in between head into this week's market, we expect pressure to again be the theme early in the week. Unfortunately, it could remain the market's tone until seasonal boxed beef demand perks up.

Both the live cattle and feeder cattle markets have been able to trade higher in recent days, seeming to confirm that the traders are willing to turn the contracts higher if support remains sufficient.

Cattle futures have been under stiff pressure the last month, but is there a possibility last Friday's Cattle on Feed report could help turn the market higher?

Friday's Feb. 1 USDA Cattle on Feed report will likely be seen as bearish given that placements are expected to be greater than a year ago, according to DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart.

Seeing the markets plummet well over $10 in a matter of 10 short days makes us wish we had a crystal ball to guide us and offer some peace of mind about the cattle market. Now's the time to set targets and create an action plan.

Without the rallying nature of the cash cattle complex to help traders along, how much upward potential does the futures complex possess for the near term?

News travels fast and people react most of the time in a negative way. Will the cattle complex again find its footing?

While some producers may be anxious to begin keeping some females back, I don't believe that's where all cow-calf producers are.

Given the continued ban of Mexican cattle imports into the United States, logically the data aligns perfectly with what's happening in the market.

Friday's Jan. 1 USDA Cattle on Feed report is likely going to be one that demands attention, as the placement estimates range from 98.8 to 107.1% compared to a year ago.

Feedlot managers deserve credit for their efforts to push the market to its highest potential. If they weren't alert, the cattle market wouldn't see its current gains.

We all know at some point packers will gather enough cattle for the market, causing this incredible rally to cool down. But I'm personally not convinced packers have enough supply purchased just yet.

Last week the fed cash cattle market scored new all-time highs yet again; but with packers still short on inventory and beef demand strong, everyone is wondering: How much higher will the market trade this week?

Now that we are officially embarking on the 2025 calendar year, it's time to home in on the market dynamics currently at play and strategize for the year ahead.

Packers drastically cut last week's throughput in an attempt to regain some footing in the market as strong cash cattle prices have weakened their margins.