ShayLe Stewart

Drought continues to be a growing concern, and within just six weeks, the market will begin to see the first big feeder cattle sales for the 2026 calf crop.

Last week's fed cash cattle market scored new highs in both the Northern and Southern regions. However, after last week's rally, traders seem on edge about the week ahead.

Historically, the U.S. beef cow herd has moved on two main factors -- profitability and the availability of green grass. Thus far through 2026, prices have remained historically high, but right...

With the board trading sharply higher and the year's strongest beef demand month just days away, will fed cash cattle prices trade higher this week?

Historically the U.S. beef cowherd has moved on two main factors -- profitability and the availability of green grass. Thus far through 2026, prices have remained historically high, but right now...

It's too early to say whether the spring high is in for the fed cash cattle market. However, if support doesn't develop from both a fundamental and technical sense, it's going to be difficult for the market to trade much higher.

USDA's April 1 Cattle on Feed report due out on Friday is expected to be mostly bullish for the cattle complex if pre-report estimates prove correct.

With supplies of lean beef extremely thin, last week, choice cuts were cheaper on average than select cuts.

The recent rally in the cattle complex has hopefully opened everyone's eyes to the importance of monitoring the market so that when an opportunity arises to profitably market your calves, you're ready and able to do so.

After trading lower over the last month, the cattle complex seems to have regained its bullish attitude.

Whether it be boxed beef prices, showlists, or cash cattle prices, the reduction in throughput gravely affects the live cattle complex.

Both the live cattle and feeder cattle contracts were able to close higher Monday afternoon, but with choppy boxed beef prices, historically slow throughput, and cash prices yet to be determined, the week still has some challenges...

Given the wide range of pre-report estimates, Friday's March 1 USDA Cattle on Feed report could potentially bear some challenging news for the market, according to DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart.

Despite wildfires engulfing Nebraska and the JBS meatpacking plant shutting down amid a union labor strike in Colorado, the cattle complex was able to hold its composure throughout Monday's trade and end the day higher.

Whether it be the war in Iran or the looming plant strike in Greeley, Colorado, the market knows the negative stressors weighing against it. Discussing the ripple effect of those stressors is essential as their long-term...

The notion of a looming strike does not bode well for the cattle complex as fear and uncertainty unravel both the market's fundamental and technical components.

Between the conflicts in the Middle East to the unknown details regarding a potential strike at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colorado, the cattle complex is under some unforeseen pressure.

Although the market has recently seen a tremendous rally in fed cash cattle, there is some uneasiness drifting throughout the complex as traders worry about a potential plant strike in Colorado and as the futures market nears...

Although the fed cash cattle market performed exceptionally last week and traded $1 higher in the South and $7 higher in the North, cattle contracts closed lower on Monday as too many external pressures weighed negatively...

The biggest outlier in this month's USDA Cattle on Feed report will be the marketing data, which doesn't have a large effect on the market. Overall, the report could be received as bullish if pre-report estimates hold true.

Although the industry knows that risk and volatility are greater market concern than ever before, thankfully for the time being the market's fundamentals appear to be in the driver's seat as...