Sort & Cull

It's almost presumed that with high prices should come ease and comfort. But that's far from what the cattle complex has seen lately, as nervousness has crept into the futures complex and there's an added level of volatility thanks to the market's historically high prices.

There's an argument to be made that the market should be able to rebound from last Friday's meltdown. On the other hand, there's a strong argument to be made that maybe the futures complex needs a break.

Livestock pioneer Minnie Lou Bradley, first female to win the International Livestock Judging Contest and honored with numerous awards, died recently at 93. The Texas rancher mentored countless people throughout her career.

No one ever expects fed cattle prices to rally through July, as typically it's a time when supplies are heavy, and as boxed beef prices seasonally decline, fed cash cattle prices normally do as well. But feedlot managers have stayed prudent about their marketings and have...

Instead of becoming lackadaisical and complacent behind the wheel, feedlot managers remain steadfast and laser-focused on advancing the market whenever the opportunity presents itself, even though seasonal norms would say this isn't a typical time when cash cattle prices trade...

Although feedlot managers are working with lighter showlists this week, they're going to face some pushback as the board is likely to remain cautious and packers do have more cattle committed to them in the deferred delivery option.

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?