Sort & Cull

Limited supplies and strong demand have been the biggest reasons why both the live cattle and feeder cattle markets have traded higher, and why for now the market will likely remain strong.

The price you pay for record-high values is the anxiety and volatility that inevitably goes with them. That is one situation where technical analysis helps. With the past outlook being so important to the livestock industry, it's worth a second look.

With the cattle complex off to an aggressive start for the new week, cattlemen are crossing their fingers that prices will remain strong as some set out to market their 2025 calves.

Packers have slowly been able to build up supply, which is hindering the fed cash cattle market trade. However, thus far, that has not affected the feeder cattle market as buyers continue to buy calves at record-high prices.

Record high cattle prices come with more volatility. You'll never outthink the cattle market, but you can have a plan to deal better with it.

Join Oklahoma State University Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel and DTN experts for an in-depth examination of cattle market dynamics, as well as what you can expect from weather and prices for the rest of the year.

What cattlemen will keenly watch this week is Superior's Corn Belt Classic Sale, and the Cattle on Feed Report on Friday.

Following last week's unbelievable surge in both the fed cash cattle market and the futures complex, traders are hopeful support will allow the market to trade higher again this week.

Feeder cattle's dramatic rise to record highs is certainly cause for celebration in the short term -- and anxiety for long-term planning.

Cattle prices have reached record highs with fat steers selling for $230.50/cwt and heifer pairs at $4,600. With the U.S. cattle inventory at an 84-year low, producers question how long these favorable market conditions will last.

With packers having built up some supply during the last three weeks, and with the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, it's likely fed cash cattle prices could trade steady this week.

Anthrax was confirmed as the cause of death in cattle in Saskatchewan's Rural Municipality of Paynton No. 470, prompting officials to recommend vaccination as the best prevention method.

Although it was exciting to see the cattle contracts trade sharply higher amid bullish news headlines, market participants can't forget the gaps in the chart will eventually be filled in.

Packers were able to buy up some supply last week in the fed cash cattle market. But if they continue to run reduced kill schedules, how are boxed beef prices going to fare?

Last week, the cattle complex performed nearly flawlessly as fed cash cattle prices reached all-time highs, feeder cattle prices were higher, and the futures contracts ran to new contract highs.

Beef demand may be exceptional and could even increase seasonally through the Memorial Day weekend, but it's going to take a lot of market support for traders to remain steadfast and focused amid any more trade chatter that could arise.

Whether it's because of tariff concerns, consumers wanting to tighten their spending budgets, or simply because Easter isn't a major beef dish holiday, pinpointing the exact reason why boxed beef prices were pressured last week requires sorting through a number of different...

During the last two weeks, packers have been able to buy around 141,000 head of cattle and commit them to the nearby delivery, which could mean that cash prices may trade steady to somewhat lower this upcoming week.

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

The price you pay for record-high values is the anxiety and volatility that inevitably goes with them. That is one situation where technical analysis helped immensely.