DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
Date: November 15, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
Current market showing significant downward pressure from policy uncertainty and bearish fundamentals.
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Fed cattle prices down $3-5/cwt live and $5-10/cwt dressed
- Live cattle futures down $6 across all contracts
- Southeast 500-600 lb steers at $370/cwt, up $1.80 but still $25 below mid-October
- Choice boxed beef cutout down $2.84 to $370.73
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. White House considering waiving tariffs on food imports, including beef from Argentina, sending futures sharply lower
2. Omaha Steaks CEO warns ground beef could hit $10/lb by Q3 2026 due to tight supplies
3. Tyson Foods reports third consecutive year of beef segment losses totaling $1.135B in FY25
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure in the near-term due to:
- Ongoing policy uncertainty around beef prices and trade
- Weakening packer margins driving lower bids
- Heavy marketing weights and slower turnover impacting supply dynamics
- Some stabilization possible heading into holiday demand period but overall bearish tone likely to persist through year-end
Producers should focus on risk management strategies and carefully evaluate marketing windows given the volatile environment. Consider forward contracting opportunities if available at profitable levels.
Stay informed on policy developments and monitor basis levels closely as markets adjust to changing fundamentals.
Date: November 15, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
Current market showing significant downward pressure from policy uncertainty and bearish fundamentals.
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Fed cattle prices down $3-5/cwt live and $5-10/cwt dressed
- Live cattle futures down $6 across all contracts
- Southeast 500-600 lb steers at $370/cwt, up $1.80 but still $25 below mid-October
- Choice boxed beef cutout down $2.84 to $370.73
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. White House considering waiving tariffs on food imports, including beef from Argentina, sending futures sharply lower
2. Omaha Steaks CEO warns ground beef could hit $10/lb by Q3 2026 due to tight supplies
3. Tyson Foods reports third consecutive year of beef segment losses totaling $1.135B in FY25
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure in the near-term due to:
- Ongoing policy uncertainty around beef prices and trade
- Weakening packer margins driving lower bids
- Heavy marketing weights and slower turnover impacting supply dynamics
- Some stabilization possible heading into holiday demand period but overall bearish tone likely to persist through year-end
Producers should focus on risk management strategies and carefully evaluate marketing windows given the volatile environment. Consider forward contracting opportunities if available at profitable levels.
Stay informed on policy developments and monitor basis levels closely as markets adjust to changing fundamentals.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.