DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
November 14, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
Markets remain under significant pressure with futures seeing limit down moves and cash prices following lower. Policy uncertainty and political scrutiny of the beef sector continue to weigh heavily on market psychology.
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Fed cattle: $5-10 lower with Southern cash at $228, Northern at $225 live/$350 dressed
- Futures: Live cattle down $6 across all contracts
- Choice boxed beef: Marginally lower at $373.57 (-$0.88)
- Feeders: Mixed with heavy feeders lower while light calves show resistance to decline
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. President Trump called for DOJ investigation into meatpackers, alleging price manipulation despite major packers reporting significant losses in beef operations
2. USDA opened new sterile fly facility in Tampico, Mexico to combat screwworm threat
3. Tyson projected continued beef segment losses of $4-6M in coming fiscal year, following $1.135B in losses over past 3 years
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect continued volatility and downward price pressure in the near term as markets grapple with political uncertainty. However, fundamental supply tightness remains supportive longer-term, with drought conditions favorable for herd rebuilding. Buyers and sellers are showing extreme caution in transactions given market instability.
Key factors to watch:
- Political developments around beef pricing investigations
- Holiday middle meat demand trends
- Pace of heifer retention for herd rebuilding
November 14, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
Markets remain under significant pressure with futures seeing limit down moves and cash prices following lower. Policy uncertainty and political scrutiny of the beef sector continue to weigh heavily on market psychology.
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Fed cattle: $5-10 lower with Southern cash at $228, Northern at $225 live/$350 dressed
- Futures: Live cattle down $6 across all contracts
- Choice boxed beef: Marginally lower at $373.57 (-$0.88)
- Feeders: Mixed with heavy feeders lower while light calves show resistance to decline
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. President Trump called for DOJ investigation into meatpackers, alleging price manipulation despite major packers reporting significant losses in beef operations
2. USDA opened new sterile fly facility in Tampico, Mexico to combat screwworm threat
3. Tyson projected continued beef segment losses of $4-6M in coming fiscal year, following $1.135B in losses over past 3 years
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect continued volatility and downward price pressure in the near term as markets grapple with political uncertainty. However, fundamental supply tightness remains supportive longer-term, with drought conditions favorable for herd rebuilding. Buyers and sellers are showing extreme caution in transactions given market instability.
Key factors to watch:
- Political developments around beef pricing investigations
- Holiday middle meat demand trends
- Pace of heifer retention for herd rebuilding
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.