Cattle Market Reports and Analysis
Cow herd expansion is not the only option to consider when the markets are strong and producers have profit to invest.
Check out the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for week of July 25.
Economists further breakdown USDA’s Cattle on Feed Report and Cattle Inventory Report that were released on Friday. The Cattle Inventory Report showed the smallest U.S. herd in history and a smaller calf crop, plus the Cattle on Feed Report confirmed continued tightening numbers on feed.
Check out Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for week of July 19.
Market analysts attribute the strong beef demand to several factors including the consumer craze for protein.
The consequences of reduced cow slaughter is a reduced U.S. supply of lean grinding beef, which leads to sourcing beef through imports.
With large moves in both directions, fed cattle prices have been erratic for the past three weeks.
Check out the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for the week of July 12.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for week of July 5.
Extension livestock economist James Mitchell summarizes the sharp increases in beef prices the first half of 2025.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for week of June 28.
The passing of the early summer seasonal high in fed cattle values came two weeks earlier than last year but was aligned with that of 2023.
Today’s market creates both the opportunity and the incentive is to pay down debt, and create a solid financial statement as opposed to herd building.
Check out the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for the week of June 21.
Arkansas extension livestock economist James Mitchell explains the role of the cattle cycle, the changing relationship between calf and feeder cattle prices, and the implications for basis.
Cow slaughter was down by more than 17% through mid-May. If that trend continues through the rest of the year, beef cow slaughter would be at the lowest levels we have seen since 2015.
The Nebraska and Iowa/Minnesota reporting regions continue to lead the way with a trading range from $239 to $244/cwt.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for week of June 14.
Cattle producers are holding on to a younger cow herd and retaining fewer heifers.
Check out the latest Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for week of June 7.
CattleFax recently shared the results of its 2024 cow-calf survey representing more than 350,000 cows.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker from week of May 31.
Lee Schulz and Chip Flory discuss current supply and demand in the beef and pork industries and what’s ahead.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for the week of May 24.
While the current market is solid evidence for the demand outlook, the weeks beyond the Memorial Day weekend through the 4th of July will be the critical time for assessing long-term strength of beef demand.
Live cattle futures continue to ignore the strength in spot cash trade with a sharp downside correction last Wednesday, extending into Thursday, pulling $5/cwt.
Check out the latest Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker from week of May 17.
Check out the Sterling Marketing Beef Profit Tracker ending week of May 10.
Unpack two key factors likely resulting in record cattle prices and impacts to the industry.