Sort & Cull

The biggest takeaway from the rally that's currently developing is that it could be sustained for a period of time, and the market is already seeing how it's supporting the entire cattle market, not just one side of the marketplace.

Moving into this upcoming week's trade, and even looking ahead at the weeks to come, cattlemen need to remind themselves that the market ebbs and flows over time. Take full advantage of what the market has to offer. Don't sit on the sidelines when a rally is begging to...

Looking at last week's total negotiated trade and knowing that this week's showlists have fewer cattle on them throughout the major feeding states, there is some opportunity that awaits this week's business.

We can't be upset about the rhetoric packers use to make deals; we, as cattlemen, need to learn from their savviness.

Last week's cash cattle market averaged only $114 -- which is $10 to $44 weaker than years past.

With last week's slaughter estimated at a measly 552,000 head, the entire marketplace is going to be fixated on tracking this week's slaughter and praying for a monstrous week.

Feedlots typically avoid trading cattle in the midst of high wind gusts and snow blowing sideways; however, this week's trade could easily fall either way.

The challenge when looking at reports like the USDA Cattle Inventory reports is keeping perspective.

Friday's placement increases of 1% didn't end up devastating the market's recent accomplishments, but it's important to remember that all situations must be looked at individually as the market is constantly changing.

Significant changes in the restaurant and food service industry during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to create a significant long-term impact on meat demand. According to a recent survey by the National Restaurant Association, nearly one in five restaurants have closed...

Regardless of what year the market faces, challenges and opportunities will always be present. Trying to analytically avoid the traps of the marketplace that could hinder you is always an everchanging and sleep-robbing problem if you're invested in the cattle market.

Even though packers tried telling feedlots, for more than a month, that they weren't going to be aggressive during the Christmas holiday, last week's weighted averages speak differently.

The December Cattle on Feed report released last Friday came in as expected with lower feeder cattle placements in November. However, yearly placements are well below previous years, creating concerns that can't be accounted for by feedlot numbers.

Whether you're a cow-calf producer looking to market your steer calves or a feedlot looking to move a group of fat cattle, it's vital to remember you hold the cards; you decide when those cattle move and for what price.

Waning boxed beef prices will continue to pressure the market throughout the year's end, but safeguarding profitability is key. Fighting for the market to trade at least steady is always better than seeing it drop $2 to $4 lower.

Understanding how the holidays can pressure the marketplace is vital and it's important to keep in perspective what's true market data and facts, and what are just holiday jitters affecting the market.

With plenty of unknowns already developing for 2021 to answer, cattlemen and feedlots alike cannot afford to let today's opportunity pass them by.

Soon we will prepare for tax season and print off those profit/loss summaries and expense sheets that can been brutally painful. However, instead of avoiding them, it's time to dive into the fine details and see where changes can be made.

Until the election is officially over and it's clear who our new president will be for the next four years, it won't be surprising to see the market hesitate like the rest of America is doing.

Following last week's lower prices and heightened pressure, the cattle industry aims to find footing amid an uncertain and distressed time.