Sort & Cull

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.

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 spring rally.

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.

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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.

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?