Sort & Cull

It's likely the futures market could struggle again this week because of the seasonal downturn in both boxed beef and fed cash cattle prices.

From Friday's bullish Cattle on Feed report, to the expected announcement that's going to come soon from USDA about revitalizing the American beef industry, traders saw an opportunity to push the cattle contracts sharply higher and didn't waste any time.

With the market's fundamentals not expected to lend much support in upcoming weeks, as seasonally this is a time in which fed prices typically regress and boxed beef prices do too, it's easy to see why the futures complex could be subject to a short season of edginess.

Packers were able to buy a sizeable volume last week in the fed cash cattle market, which likely means that they'll aim to work prices even lower in the weeks ahead.

The market may be trading above anyone's wildest dreams, and while hurdles obviously still loom, there are still reasons to believe even higher prices could be seen.

Between seeing massive gains last week in the cattle complex, to hearing the unsettling news that a positive case of New World screwworm had been detected in a human here in the United States, it wouldn't be unusual to see traders more cautious and timid in their handling of...

USDA's $850 million investment to fight New World screwworm could help prevent losses of billions of dollars in the livestock and general economy.

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.