The Cattle Market Guys Podcast
Your source for cattle market insights and analysis
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Episode 87: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 11-10-2026
Published: November 10, 2026 | Duration: 8:52
Episode 87 Transcript
Brock: Welcome to Cattle Market Guys, your Tuesday Market Update for November tenth. I'm Brock, and as always I'm here with Jim. <break time="0.3s"/> We've got a lot to cover today: a big packer announcement out of the Texas Panhandle, a cattle futures slide, and some animal health news worth your attention. <break time="0.5s"/> But first, the calf market.
Looking at the numbers, the latest week showed some pullback. Five hundred to five forty-nine pound steers averaged four hundred three dollars and thirty-one cents per hundredweight. That's down nine dollars and fifty-seven cents from the prior week, but only down thirty-three cents from a month ago. <break time="0.3s"/> Six hundred to six forty-nine pound steers came in at three hundred fifty-eight dollars and eighty-two cents. That's down twelve dollars and twenty-six cents on the week and down one dollar and sixty-four cents on the month. Volume was heavy in both weight classes, so buyers had plenty to pick from. <break time="0.3s"/> The forecast has the lighter calves dipping to three hundred eighty-six dollars and eighty cents next week, then climbing to four hundred seventeen dollars and ninety-eight cents over four weeks. The six hundreds are projected at three hundred thirty-nine dollars and forty-seven cents next week, and three hundred fifty-seven dollars and sixty-nine cents four weeks out. So the model sees a dip first, then a recovery. Jim, what's your take?
Jim: Well, I'll take a recovery over no recovery. But a forecast is just a forecast, and I want to see real bids before I get excited.
Brock: Fair enough. <break time="0.3s"/> Now, the biggest headline today came out this morning. Tyson Foods announced its intent to build a long-term partnership with Allied Beef, a consortium of American ranchers. Tyson also plans to restart a second shift at its Amarillo, Texas, beef plant, and the company expects that shift to be fully operational by summer 2027. This comes after a year of processing cuts, so…
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Episode 86: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 11-6-2026
Published: November 6, 2026 | Duration: 10:01
Episode 86 Transcript
Brock: Welcome in to Cattle Market Guys, the Friday Week in Review for November 6th. <break time="0.3s"/> I'm Brock, and as always, I'm here with Jim. It's been a week where the futures board gave everybody a case of heartburn, and we've got a lot to sort through, from feeder prices to exports to the drought map. Jim, how are you holding up?
Jim: Let me tell you what, my stomach's been doing flips since Monday. But go ahead and give folks the numbers first.
Brock: Looking at the numbers, the latest weekly feeder data is a lot friendlier than the futures screen. <break time="0.5s"/> Five hundred to five forty-nine pound steers are at four hundred eleven dollars and seventy-four cents per hundredweight. That's up one dollar and fifty-two cents from the prior week and up ten dollars and seventy-seven cents from a month ago. <break time="0.3s"/> The six hundred to six forty-nine pound steers are at three hundred seventy dollars and five cents per hundredweight, up three dollars and eighty-eight cents on the week and up eight dollars and forty-two cents on the month. So the heavier calves actually gained more week over week, while the lighter calves still carry the higher price tag. Both classes traded on heavy volume, which tells me buyers are still willing to step up. <break time="0.3s"/> Looking ahead, the model has the five hundred to five forty-nine class at four hundred twenty dollars and twenty-nine cents in four weeks. For the six hundred to six forty-nine class, it shows three hundred seventy-three dollars and twenty-seven cents next week, then three hundred sixty-eight dollars and twenty-seven cents in four weeks. So the lighter calves are projected to keep climbing while the heavier ones flatten out.
Jim: Interesting how the lighter calves keep getting all the attention while the heavier ones quietly do the work.
Brock: Ha. Fair enough. <break time="0.3s"/> Let's get into the futures, because that's where the pressure showed up this week. The Cattle Site…
Episode 85: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 11-3-2026
Published: November 3, 2026 | Duration: 9:08
Episode 85 Transcript
Brock: Welcome to the Cattle Market Guys, the Tuesday Market Update for November 3rd, 2026. I'm Brock, and as always I'm here with Jim. <break time="0.3s"/> Let's start with the latest numbers. In the 500 to 549 pound steer class, the most recent weekly price was four hundred eleven dollars and seventy-four cents per hundredweight. That's up one dollar and fifty-two cents from the week before, and up ten dollars and seventy-seven cents from a month ago. Over in the 600 to 649 pound steers, the price was three hundred seventy dollars and five cents per hundredweight, up three dollars and eighty-eight cents on the week and up eight dollars and forty-two cents on the month. So both classes are higher, and the heavier calves gained more on the week, even though volume was described as heavy in both. <break time="0.3s"/> Looking at the forecast, the model has the 500 to 549 class climbing to four hundred twenty dollars and twenty-nine cents per hundredweight four weeks out. For the 600 to 649 class, it shows three hundred seventy-three dollars and twenty-seven cents next week, then three hundred sixty-eight dollars and twenty-seven cents at four weeks. So the lighter calves keep their momentum while the heavier ones flatten out a bit. Jim, what's your take on those numbers?
Jim: Well, Brock, a ten-dollar gain in a month on calves is something I'll happily take. I just wouldn't get too comfortable with it.
Brock: Fair enough, and there's a reason for that caution. Cattle futures fell for a third straight session on weak cash trade, according to The Cattle Site's October 31st report. So feeder cattle prices are firm, but the fed cattle side is giving some back. <break time="0.5s"/> That brings us to our first deep dive: price discovery, cash trade, and some changes in USDA reporting. The Agricultural Marketing Service is adding a new negotiated fed cattle price report. It aggregates cash cattle data from Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas, and it was…
Episode 84: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 10-30-2026
Published: October 30, 2026 | Duration: 10:51
Episode 84 Transcript
Brock: Welcome to Cattle Market Guys, the Week in Review for Friday, October 30th. <break time="0.3s"/> I'm Brock, and as always I'm joined by Jim, who has been watching these markets longer than I've been alive. We've got a busy one. Futures swung both ways this week, the October Cattle on Feed report painted a very tight supply picture, and there are some global feed and dairy stories worth your attention. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with where the feeder market sits.
Jim: Morning, Brock. Coffee's hot and I'm ready to go.
Brock: Good, because there's a lot to cover. <break time="0.3s"/> Five hundred to five hundred forty-nine pound steers came in at four hundred seven dollars and eighty-seven cents per hundredweight. That's up one dollar and thirty-nine cents from the prior week and up four dollars and eighty-three cents from a month ago. The model sees that class at four hundred thirteen dollars and two cents next week, then sliding to three hundred ninety-nine dollars and seven cents at the four-week mark, so there's some give in that forecast later on.
<break time="0.3s"/> The heavier calves tell a slightly different story. Six hundred to six hundred forty-nine pound steers came in at three hundred sixty-four dollars and twenty-one cents. That's down sixty-seven cents on the week, but still up one dollar and thirty-five cents from a month ago. The one-week forecast is three hundred sixty-two dollars and sixteen cents, and by four weeks out the model has them climbing to three hundred sixty-nine dollars and thirty-six cents. So the lighter calves are leading right now, and the heavier ones are basically treading water. Volume was heavy in both classes, which is worth noting because prices held firm despite plenty of cattle moving. Jim, what do you make of that?
Jim: Heavy volume and prices still holding? That tells you buyers are hungry, plain and simple. When there's that much supply and nobody's flinching, somebody needs cattle.
Brock: Agreed. <break…
Episode 83: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 10-27-2026
Published: October 27, 2026 | Duration: 8:33
Episode 83 Transcript
Brock: Welcome to the Cattle Market Guys Tuesday Market Update. I'm Brock, Jim's here with me, and we've got a lot to cover. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the latest numbers. In the most recent weekly data, five hundred to five forty-nine pound steers, medium and large frame number one, averaged four hundred seven dollars and eighty-seven cents per hundredweight. That's up one dollar and thirty-nine cents from the prior week and up four dollars and eighty-three cents from a month ago. <break time="0.3s"/> Six hundred to six forty-nine pound steers came in at three hundred sixty-four dollars and twenty-one cents, down sixty-seven cents on the week but up one dollar and thirty-five cents on the month. So the lighter weights are leading, and the heavier ones are basically treading water. Volume was heavy in both classes, with about eight thousand head in the lighter class and over eleven thousand in the heavier one. <break time="0.3s"/> The model forecast has the five hundreds at four hundred thirteen dollars and two cents next week, then easing to three hundred ninety-nine dollars and seven cents four weeks out. The six hundreds are forecast at three hundred sixty-two dollars and sixteen cents next week, then firming to three hundred sixty-nine dollars and thirty-six cents in four weeks. Front-month futures in that data sit at three hundred forty-four dollars and forty-three cents, so cash feeders are carrying a healthy premium over the board. Jim, what do you make of that gap?
Jim: Well, that's a mighty comfortable premium. Folks are paying for calves they can actually find, and they're not shy about it.
Brock: That's the right way to look at it, and it leads straight into our first deep dive, the October Cattle on Feed report. <break time="0.5s"/> USDA released it Friday, and October first cattle on feed were eleven point three seven two million head, slightly under last year. The headline, though, is throughput. According to the report, September…
Episode 82: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 10-23-2026
Published: October 23, 2026 | Duration: 9:22
Episode 82 Transcript
Brock: Welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, the Week in Review for Friday, October 23rd. I'm Brock, and as always I'm joined by Jim down in West Texas. <break time="0.3s"/> We've got a busy week, with a new USDA price report, a futures rally that stumbled a bit, drought and pasture numbers, and a look at feeder supplies heading into the fall run. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the market snapshot.
Feeder steer prices continue to hold firm. In the five hundred to five forty-nine pound class, Medium and Large Number One steers averaged four hundred four dollars and six cents per hundredweight. That's up forty-two cents from the prior week, and up seven dollars and eighty-nine cents from a month ago, on heavy volume. <break time="0.3s"/> The six hundred to six forty-nine pound steers came in at three hundred sixty-three dollars and fifty-eight cents, up three dollars and twelve cents on the week and up six dollars and seventeen cents on the month, also on heavy volume.
The forecast is where the two weight classes split. For the lighter five hundreds, the model has four hundred dollars and ninety-nine cents next week, then climbing to four hundred eleven dollars and four cents four weeks out. For the six hundreds, it has three hundred sixty-five dollars and fifty-five cents next week, but easing to three hundred fifty-two dollars and twenty-four cents in four weeks. <break time="0.3s"/> So the model likes the lighter calves holding value, and it sees the heavier weights fading a bit. Jim, what are you seeing on your end?
Jim: Well, that tracks with what I see, Brock. Those lighter calves always find a home this time of year. Folks with wheat pasture and grass want to put pounds on them, and they'll pay for the privilege.
Brock: That's a good point. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's move to the first deep dive, and this one is about price transparency. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the Agricultural Marketing Service will add a regional negotiated cash…
Episode 81: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 10-20-2026
Published: October 20, 2026 | Duration: 9:50
Episode 81 Transcript
Brock: Welcome in to the Cattle Market Guys, your Tuesday Market Update for October 20th. I'm Brock, and as always I'm joined by Jim, who's been around this business longer than some of our feeder calves' great-grandmothers. <break time="0.3s"/> We've got a lot to cover today. Screwworm is back in the headlines, feeder supplies are running heavy, and the beef supply outlook is getting tighter. <break time="0.5s"/> But let's start with the market snapshot.
Looking at the numbers, the feeder steer market is holding firm on heavy volume. Five-hundred to five-forty-nine pound steers are at four hundred four dollars and six cents per hundredweight, up forty-two cents on the week and up seven dollars and eighty-nine cents from a month ago. Six-hundred to six-forty-nine pound steers are at three hundred sixty-three dollars and fifty-eight cents, up three dollars and twelve cents on the week and up six dollars and seventeen cents on the month. <break time="0.3s"/> So the heavier weight class had the bigger weekly gain, while the lighter calves are basically flat week to week but still carry the higher price tag.
Now the forecast gets interesting. For the five-hundreds, the model has a small dip to four hundred dollars and ninety-nine cents next week, then climbing to four hundred eleven dollars and four cents four weeks out. For the six-hundreds, it's three hundred sixty-five dollars and fifty-five cents next week, but sliding to three hundred fifty-two dollars and twenty-four cents by week four. That's a split outlook, with lightweights firming and heavier calves softening into November. <break time="0.3s"/> On the fed side, TCR's Daily Market Index on October 16th was higher on stronger fed cattle prices, higher cattle futures, and lower corn. Jim, what's your read on that split?
Jim: Well, Brock, I wouldn't lean too hard on that four-week number. Weather and how many trucks show up at the sale barn can change the picture in a hurry.
Brock: Fair enough, and that's a good…
Episode 80: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 10-13-2026
Published: October 13, 2026 | Duration: 9:46
Episode 80 Transcript
Brock: Welcome in to the Cattle Market Guys, the Tuesday Market Update for October thirteenth. <break time="0.3s"/> I'm Brock, and as always I'm sitting across from Jim, who's got forty-some years on me and will remind us of that at least twice today.
Jim: Only twice? I'll try harder.
Brock: <break time="0.3s"/> Let's start with the numbers. Looking at the latest weekly data, five hundred to five hundred forty-nine pound steers are at four hundred two dollars and seventeen cents per hundredweight. That's up one dollar and twenty cents from the prior week, and up nineteen dollars and fifty-two cents from a month ago. Six hundred to six hundred forty-nine pound steers tell a slightly different story. They're at three hundred fifty-eight dollars and ninety-four cents, down two dollars and sixty-nine cents on the week, though still up nine dollars and seventy-seven cents from a month ago. <break time="0.3s"/> Volume was heavy in both classes, so this isn't a thin-market quirk. The lighter calves are holding the strength while the heavier ones gave back a little. Looking ahead, the model has the five hundred to five hundred forty-nine class at three hundred ninety-six dollars and twenty-nine cents next week, then climbing to four hundred fifteen dollars and seventy-three cents at four weeks out. For the six hundred pound class, the four-week forecast is three hundred seventy-four dollars and thirty-two cents. So the message is a small pullback near term, then firmer prices into November.
Jim: Interesting. Lightweight calves are the ones everybody's chasing, and I don't see that changing soon.
Brock: That's a fair read, Jim. <break time="0.5s"/> And it ties directly into our first deep dive, which is Mexican cattle imports, screwworm risk, and why feeder supplies stay so tight. Let's start with the border. The Cattle Site's weekly protein report says just four hundred Mexican feeder cattle crossed at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on last Tuesday. That matters because Santa…
Episode 79: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 10-2-2026
Published: October 2, 2026 | Duration: 10:19
Episode 79 Transcript
Brock: Welcome in to Cattle Market Guys, the Week in Review for Friday, October 2nd. I'm Brock, and with me as always is Jim. <break time="0.3s"/> We've got a lot to cover. Futures swung around this week, supplies keep getting tighter, and feed costs are heading the opposite direction from pasture conditions. <break time="0.5s"/> First, the numbers. Five hundred to five forty-nine pound feeder steers are bringing four hundred one dollars and seventy-nine cents per hundredweight. That's up five dollars and sixty-two cents from the prior week, and up twenty-one dollars and eighty-nine cents from a month ago. <break time="0.3s"/> The six hundred to six forty-nine pound steers are at three hundred sixty-two dollars and eleven cents, up four dollars and seventy cents on the week and thirteen dollars and fourteen cents on the month. Volume was heavy in both classes. The lighter calves are showing the bigger monthly gain, which tells me buyers are still paying up for weight they can put on. <break time="0.3s"/> On the outlook, the model has the five hundreds at three hundred ninety-nine dollars and sixty-six cents next week, a small breather, then four hundred fourteen dollars and eighty-seven cents four weeks out. For the six hundreds, it's three hundred fifty-two dollars and eighteen cents next week, then three hundred seventy-one dollars and ninety-one cents at four weeks. So a possible dip, then a push higher. Jim, does that match what you're hearing?
Jim: Ha, a dip and then a push higher. That's about the most honest forecast I've heard all year. Sounds right to me.
Brock: Fair enough. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's get into the futures action, because it was a bumpy week. Monday, live and feeder cattle futures turned lower on profit-taking after a rally driven by concerns about limited U.S. inventories. Then Tuesday through Thursday, futures rose. Tuesday, the support came from higher beef prices and a recovering slaughter pace. Wednesday, a sharp drop in corn futures…
Episode 78: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 9-29-2026
Published: September 29, 2026 | Duration: 9:10
Episode 78 Transcript
Brock: Welcome to Cattle Market Guys, the Tuesday Market Update for September 29th. <break time="0.3s"/> I'm Brock, and as always I've got Jim with me. Let's start with the latest numbers. <break time="0.5s"/> Five hundred to five forty-nine pound steers are bringing four hundred one dollars and seventy-nine cents per hundredweight. That's up five dollars and sixty-two cents on the week, and up twenty-one dollars and eighty-nine cents from a month ago. Six hundred to six forty-nine pound steers are at three hundred sixty-two dollars and eleven cents. That's up four dollars and seventy cents on the week and thirteen dollars and fourteen cents on the month. Both weight classes traded on heavy volume, which is worth noting. <break time="0.3s"/> When you get a rally on light volume, you can second-guess it, but this one came with a lot of cattle changing hands.
Brock: The forecast is a little choppy, though. For the lighter weight, the model has three hundred ninety-nine dollars and sixty-six cents next week, then a climb to four hundred fourteen dollars and eighty-seven cents four weeks out. The six hundreds are projected at three hundred fifty-two dollars and eighteen cents next week and three hundred seventy-one dollars and ninety-one cents in four weeks. So the model sees a small pullback first and then a push higher. <break time="0.3s"/> Jim, does that match what you're seeing?
Jim: It does, Brock. Heavy volume behind a rally tells me the buyers are serious, so a small dip next week wouldn't shake me much.
Brock: Good point. Now let's get into the deep dives. <break time="0.5s"/> First up is futures volatility and how cash trade is structured. The Cattle Site reported that live cattle and feeder cattle futures rose on the CME on Friday, with concerns about limited U.S. inventories outweighing processing disruptions. But go back a day to Thursday, and futures closed lower as beef company processing fell sharply. So you've got the same two forces pulling in opposite…
Episode 77: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 9-22-2026
Published: September 22, 2026 | Duration: 10:29
Episode 77 Transcript
Brock: Good morning and welcome back to Cattle Market Guys. It's Tuesday, September 22nd, and we've got a market that's giving everybody whiplash this week. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the snapshot. Looking at the numbers on the five hundred to five forty-nine weight steers, current price is three hundred ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents per hundredweight. That's up fourteen dollars and eighty-five cents week over week, but month over month it's actually down seventy-eight cents.
Jim: Well, that's a market that can't make up its mind, Brock.
Brock: That's a fair way to put it. <break time="0.3s"/> Now on the six hundred to six forty-nine weight class, current price is three hundred fifty-seven dollars and sixty-two cents per hundredweight, up eight dollars and forty-five cents week over week, but down three dollars and sixteen cents on the month. So both weight classes showing that same pattern — strong weekly bounce, but still soft compared to where we were a month ago. The one-week forecast on those lighter calves has them pushing up toward four hundred three dollars per hundredweight, while the four-week outlook pulls back to three hundred sixty-six dollars and fifty-five cents.
Jim: So we're due for another dip after this little rally.
Brock: According to the forecast models, yeah, that's the read. And the article context backs that up. The Cattle Site reported futures fell for a third straight session on September 19th, tied to weaker packer margins and some technical selling. But then by September 22nd, futures rallied on lower-than-expected placement numbers ahead of the USDA feedlot report. Cattlerange's daily index confirms that whiplash too — down zero point seven three percent on the 18th, then up two point nine six percent by the 21st.
Jim: Sounds like a horse that won't settle in the chute — buckin' one direction, then the other, before you even get the gate open.
Brock: That's about right. <break time="0.3s"/> Volume context on both…
Episode 76: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 9-18-2026
Published: September 18, 2026 | Duration: 10:31
Episode 76 Transcript
Brock: Alright, welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, I'm Brock, sitting here with Jim, and it's September eighteenth, so let's get into what happened this week. <break time="0.5s"/> Starting with our market snapshot, we've got two weight classes to look at, and there's some real divergence here worth talking about. For the five hundred to five forty-nine weight steers, current price sits at three hundred eighty-two dollars and sixty-five cents per hundredweight, and that's up twelve dollars and twelve cents week-over-week. <break time="0.3s"/> But zoom out to the month-over-month comparison, and we're down twenty-eight dollars and ninety-one cents from where we were back on August ninth.
Jim: So we're bouncing off a bottom, is that what you're telling me?
Brock: That's exactly what the data suggests. <break time="0.3s"/> Now for the six hundred to six forty-nine weight class, current price is three hundred forty-nine dollars and seventeen cents per hundredweight, up nine dollars and two cents from last week, but down twenty-six dollars and thirty-one cents month-over-month. So both weight classes are seeing this pattern of a nice weekly bounce inside a longer monthly decline. <break time="0.3s"/> The forecast models have the five hundred weights hitting three hundred ninety-nine dollars and fifty-six cents next week, then settling back to three hundred seventy-two dollars and nine cents by the four-week mark. The six hundred weights look more stable, forecast at three hundred forty-eight dollars and forty-seven cents next week and three hundred forty-seven dollars and eighty-nine cents in four weeks.
Jim: Well, that lighter end sure looks like it's got more room to fall once that bounce wears off.
Brock: That's a fair read. <break time="0.3s"/> And this ties right into what we're seeing in the futures market this week, which has been genuinely choppy. The Cattle Site reported futures climbing to one-month highs on Wednesday, then easing off those highs Thursday, and…
Episode 75: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 9-15-2026
Published: September 15, 2026 | Duration: 11:30
Episode 75 Transcript
Brock: Welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, everybody. It's Tuesday, September 15th, and we've got a lot to unpack today. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the snapshot. Looking at the numbers on the five hundred to five forty-nine weight class steers, we're sitting at three hundred sixty-four dollars and seventy-one cents per hundredweight as of the week of September sixth. That's down two dollars and nineteen cents from the prior week, and when you zoom out to the monthly view, we're down forty-six dollars and eighty-five cents from where we were back in early August.
Jim: Forty-six dollars in a month? That's not a correction, Brock, that's a landslide.
Brock: It's a significant pullback, no question. <break time="0.3s"/> Now on the six hundred to six forty-nine weight class, current price is three hundred thirty-three dollars and sixty-six cents per hundredweight, down three dollars and five cents week over week, and down forty-one dollars and eighty-two cents month over month. So both weight classes are trending the same direction, just at different velocities. <break time="0.3s"/> The forecast models have the lighter weights easing further to three hundred fifty-seven dollars and eighty-nine cents next week, and the heavier weights sliding to three hundred twenty-eight dollars and eight cents. Volume context on both classes is listed as average, so this isn't a case of thin trading distorting the numbers—this looks like real market softening.
Jim: Well, I tell you, it's like standing in July heat waiting on a blue norther. You know it's coming, you just don't know if it's gonna knock you flat or just cool things off a little.
Brock: That's actually a pretty fitting way to put it, because the four-week forecast does show some stabilization—three hundred fifty-seven dollars and nine cents for the lighter calves, three hundred thirty-one dollars and twenty-seven cents for the heavier ones. So we're not looking at a freefall, more like a leveling out after this…
Episode 74: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 9-11-2026
Published: September 11, 2026 | Duration: 10:55
Episode 74 Transcript
Brock: Good morning and welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, I'm Brock, and as always, that's Jim over there looking like he's already had three cups of coffee.
Jim: Four, actually. It's Friday.
Brock: Fair enough. <break time="0.3s"/> Let's get right into it because we've got a lot of ground to cover. Starting with the market snapshot, and there's some real movement here we need to talk about. <break time="0.5s"/> Looking at the 500 to 549 pound steers, current price sits at three hundred seventy-two dollars and eighty-one cents per hundredweight. That's down four dollars and sixty-eight cents from the prior week, and when you zoom out to the month-over-month comparison, we're looking at a drop of forty-eight dollars and eighty-six cents. That's a significant correction in just thirty days.
Jim: Whew, that's a lot of ground lost in just a month.
Brock: It is. <break time="0.3s"/> Now the 600 to 649 pound steers held up a little better, relatively speaking. Current price there is three hundred forty-one dollars and eighty-two cents per hundredweight, only down one dollar and forty-six cents week-over-week. But the month-over-month tells a similar story, down forty-one dollars and twenty-one cents from where we sat back on August 2nd. So both weight classes are correcting hard off those summer highs.
Jim: I tell you, Brock, watching these numbers slide is like sitting ringside at a sale barn when the bidding stalls out. Everybody's still got their hand halfway up, but nobody wants to be the one who pulls the trigger first.
Brock: That's a pretty accurate description of what we're seeing in the futures market too. <break time="0.3s"/> According to the data, we've got the forecast for that 500 to 549 weight class showing a slight bounce to three hundred seventy-four dollars and sixty-three cents per hundredweight over the next week, but then the four-week outlook drops to three hundred fifty-seven dollars and seventy-seven cents. So there's a little near-term relief…
Episode 73: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 9-8-2026
Published: September 8, 2026 | Duration: 10:22
Episode 73 Transcript
Brock: Good morning, folks, and welcome back to Cattle Market Guys. It's September eighth, and we've got a lot to cover, so let's get right into the numbers. <break time="0.5s"/> Looking at the latest snapshot, five hundred to five forty-nine weight steers are sitting at three hundred seventy-two dollars and eighty-one cents per hundredweight. That's down four dollars and sixty-eight cents from the prior week, and if you zoom out to the monthly view, we're down forty-eight dollars and eighty-six cents from a month ago.
Jim: That's a rough month for them lighter calves.
Brock: It is. <break time="0.3s"/> Now on the six hundred to six forty-nine weight class, we're at three hundred forty-one dollars and eighty-two cents per hundredweight, down just one dollar and forty-six cents week-over-week, but still down forty-one dollars and twenty-one cents on the month. So both weight classes are cooling off from that August peak, but the lighter calves are taking the bigger hit percentage-wise. According to the forecast data, the five hundred to five forty-nine weights are actually projected to bounce back slightly next week to three hundred seventy-four dollars and sixty-three cents, while the four-week outlook has them settling around three hundred fifty-seven dollars and seventy-seven cents.
Jim: So we're looking at a bit of a dip before things maybe firm back up.
Brock: That's the read. <break time="0.3s"/> The six hundred weight class forecast shows a similar pattern—three hundred thirty-nine dollars and forty cents next week, drifting down to three hundred twenty-seven dollars and ninety-two cents by the four-week mark. What's interesting is the article context here. We've got one piece from The Cattle Site noting tight beef supplies and resilient demand are actually supporting higher beef prices at the retail level, even as cattle futures got pressured by weak cash trade earlier in the week. Then by Friday, we saw futures dip again ahead of the Labor Day weekend,…
Episode 72: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 9-4-2026
Published: September 4, 2026 | Duration: 10:51
Episode 72 Transcript
Brock: Well, welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, everybody. It's September fourth, and we've got a lot of ground to cover on this Friday wrap. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the numbers, because they're not pretty. According to the data, five hundred to five forty-nine weight steers are sitting at three hundred eighty-two dollars and seventy-six cents per hundredweight, and that's down eight dollars and twenty-two cents from last week. <break time="0.3s"/> But the real story is the month-over-month move—we're down twenty-four dollars and seventy-seven cents from where we were back on July twenty-sixth.
Jim: Man, that's a gut punch for anybody holding cattle right now.
Brock: It really is. <break time="0.3s"/> And the six hundred to six forty-nine weight class isn't faring much better. Current price there is three hundred fifty dollars and sixty cents per hundredweight, down three dollars and forty-nine cents week-over-week, and down seventeen dollars and forty-two cents from a month ago. Looking at the forecast, the lighter weights are expected to hold roughly steady next week at three hundred eighty-two dollars and eighty-six cents, but that four-week outlook has them sliding to three hundred sixty-seven dollars and seven cents. The heavier weights look even softer—forecast has them dropping to three hundred forty-four dollars and twenty-one cents next week and continuing down to three hundred twenty-seven dollars and eighty-four cents by the four-week mark.
Jim: Well, that's not much to smile about, is it?
Brock: No, it isn't. <break time="0.3s"/> The articles are backing that up too. The Cattle Site reported futures falling on demand fears combined with a grain rally, and there's chatter about temporary easing of beef tariffs weighing on sentiment. We did see a brief uptick around September second as traders adjusted positions ahead of the August live cattle contract expiring, but that bounce didn't hold. Overall, it's a market trying to find its footing…
Episode 71: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 9-1-2026
Published: September 1, 2026 | Duration: 11:02
Episode 71 Transcript
Brock: Welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, everybody. It's Tuesday, September 1st, and we've got a lot to cover today. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the snapshot. According to the data, five hundred to five forty-nine weight steers are sitting at three hundred eighty-two dollars and seventy-six cents per hundredweight, that's down eight dollars and twenty-two cents from last week, and down twenty-four dollars and seventy-seven cents from a month ago.
Jim: That's a pretty good slide for one month, Brock.
Brock: It is. <break time="0.3s"/> And the six hundred to six forty-nine weight class is showing similar softness, three hundred fifty dollars and sixty cents per hundredweight, down three dollars and forty-nine cents week over week, and down seventeen dollars and forty-two cents from a month ago. The forecast doesn't offer much relief either. <break time="0.3s"/> Looking at the numbers, the one-week forecast for those lighter steers is three hundred eighty-two dollars and eighty-six cents, basically flat, but the four-week outlook drops to three hundred sixty-seven dollars and seven cents. For the six hundreds, the four-week forecast is three hundred twenty-seven dollars and eighty-four cents. That's a meaningful pullback baked into the models.
Jim: Well, the market's been jumpy lately, and it feels like everybody's waiting on the next headline instead of trusting what the cash market's already telling them.
Brock: You're right about that, and it ties directly into our headlines this week. <break time="0.5s"/> The Cattle Site reported that CME live and feeder cattle futures ticked lower on news of a processing order out of Washington, combined with a grain and soy rally, some fund selling, and a stronger dollar. Just two days before that, on August 29th, futures had actually rebounded on a firmer cash market. So we're seeing real whiplash here, cash fundamentals pulling one direction, policy headlines pulling the other. Jim, does that match what you're…
Episode 70: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 8-28-2026
Published: August 28, 2026 | Duration: 9:48
Episode 70 Transcript
Brock: Well, welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, everybody. It's August 28th, we're wrapping up the week, and there's a lot to get into. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the snapshot. Looking at the numbers on those 500 to 549 weight steers, current price sits at four hundred two dollars and ninety-four cents per hundredweight. That's down three dollars and thirty-one cents from last week, and down twenty-two dollars and forty-seven cents from a month ago.
Jim: That's a pretty steep slide for one month, Brock.
Brock: It is. <break time="0.3s"/> And the forecast doesn't show much relief either — one week out we're looking at three hundred eighty-four dollars and seventy-six cents, four weeks out three hundred eighty-seven dollars and forty-nine cents. So the model's expecting a bit of stabilization, but well off those July highs. Now on the heavier end, the 600 to 649 steers are sitting at three hundred sixty-four dollars and seven cents, down seven dollars and forty-six cents week over week, and down twenty-one dollars and twenty-three cents on the month. That one-week forecast is the real eyebrow-raiser though — three hundred thirty-seven dollars and seventy cents. That's a sharp drop from where we are today.
Jim: That's a big gap to close in seven days.
Brock: It really is, and I think it reflects just how much uncertainty is baked into this market right now. <break time="0.3s"/> The articles this week point to a few reasons why — futures fell on the Mexico border reopening, they fell again on a weak cash market, and then fell a third time on weakening consumer confidence. That's three separate down days for three separate reasons, all in the same week. Jim, you've been around long enough to see markets get spooked before — does this feel different to you?
Jim: Well, seems like it's coming at us from every direction this week — border, cash market, consumer confidence, all in the same breath.
Brock: That's a fair way to put it. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's dig…
Episode 69: Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 8-25-2026
Published: August 25, 2026 | Duration: 11:34
Episode 69 Transcript
Brock: Alright, welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, I'm Brock, that's Jim, and we've got a busy one today. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's start with the snapshot. Looking at the numbers for the week of August sixteenth, the 500 to 549 weight steers came in at four hundred two dollars and ninety-four cents per hundredweight. That's down three dollars and thirty-one cents from the prior week, and if you zoom out to the monthly view, we're down twenty-two dollars and forty-seven cents from four hundred twenty-five dollars and forty-one cents back in mid-July. That's a real correction happening in the lighter end of the market.
Jim: Well, that's a chunk of change disappearing in a month. <break time="0.3s"/> Reminds me of watching the gas gauge drop on an old truck with a bad fuel line.
Brock: And it's not just the lighter cattle. <break time="0.3s"/> The 600 to 649 weight steers are sitting at three hundred sixty-four dollars and seven cents, down seven dollars and forty-six cents week over week, and down twenty-one dollars and twenty-three cents from a month ago when they were at three hundred eighty-five dollars and thirty cents. According to the forecast data, the one-week outlook has that weight class dropping further to three hundred thirty-seven dollars and seventy cents, before the four-week projection shows a slight recovery to three hundred forty-six dollars and sixteen cents. So we're looking at continued softness in the near term with maybe some stabilization by mid-September.
Jim: So we ride out the dip for a few weeks and hope it levels off. Got it.
Brock: That's a fair way to put it. <break time="0.3s"/> Now, volume's been pretty average across both weight classes, so this isn't a thin-market anomaly, this is real price movement on real numbers. And I think part of what's driving this ties directly into the news that broke today, which we'll get into in the next segment. The article from The Cattle Site noted that CME live and feeder cattle futures were…
Episode 68: Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 8-21-2026
Published: August 21, 2026 | Duration: 10:54
Episode 68 Transcript
Brock: Welcome back to Cattle Market Guys, I'm Brock, joined as always by Jim, and we've got a full plate for you this Friday wrap. <break time="0.5s"/> Let's just dive right into the numbers because there's some movement worth talking about. Looking at the 500 to 549 weight steers, we're sitting at four hundred thirteen dollars and forty-five cents per hundredweight, and that's down seven dollars and eighty cents from last week. <break time="0.3s"/> Zoom out to the monthly view and it's a steeper drop, down twenty-nine dollars and thirty cents from where we were back on July 12th.
Jim: That's a pretty hard slide for a month's time.
Brock: It really is, and the heavier weights aren't escaping it either. <break time="0.3s"/> The 600 to 649 steers are at three hundred seventy-five dollars and eighty-six cents per hundredweight, down four dollars and ninety-four cents week over week, and down thirty-one dollars and fifteen cents over the past month. According to the data, volume's been average across both weight classes, so this isn't a thin-market anomaly, this is a real trend. <break time="0.3s"/> The forecast models have the 600 to 649s continuing to slide, with a one-week projection of three hundred sixty-eight dollars and ninety-seven cents, and a four-week outlook down to three hundred fifty-one dollars and thirty-eight cents.
Jim: Well, that lighter weight class sure has been getting hit too. That's the biggest drop on the board this month.
Brock: You're right, and it's worth noting the light steers, that 500 to 549 range, actually has a forecast that bounces around a bit more than the heavier weights. <break time="0.3s"/> The models show it dipping to around three hundred eighty-six dollars in two weeks before ticking back toward four hundred eleven dollars in week three. That kind of volatility tells me there's some uncertainty baked into these lighter weight projections that we don't see on the feeder side. <break time="0.3s"/> And this all lines up with…