DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
November 26, 2025
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BEARISH (2/10)
- Multiple bearish factors creating significant downward pressure
- Historic plant closure announcement, tariff removals, and heavy cattle weights all contributing to negative sentiment
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures plunged limit down to $207.525 (Feb)
- Feeder cattle futures dropped limit down to $304.975 (Jan)
- Cash fed cattle trading $5-10 lower at $210 live, $330 dressed
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Tyson announces closure of Lexington, NE plant and reduced operations at Amarillo, TX facility, cutting ~7,000-8,000 head daily capacity
- Trump administration removes 40% tariff on Brazilian beef imports
- Cattle on feed report shows weights increasing despite lower numbers, suggesting delayed marketing
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure through year-end due to:
- Reduced packing capacity shifting leverage to processors
- Increased import competition from Brazil and other countries
- Heavy front-end supplies and weights pressuring near-term prices
- Processing margins improving while feeding margins deteriorate
Key action items:
- Consider accelerating marketings of heavy cattle
- Evaluate risk management options given expanded trading limits
- Monitor basis levels for forward contracting opportunities
- Assess winter feed costs and inventory management plans
November 26, 2025
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BEARISH (2/10)
- Multiple bearish factors creating significant downward pressure
- Historic plant closure announcement, tariff removals, and heavy cattle weights all contributing to negative sentiment
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures plunged limit down to $207.525 (Feb)
- Feeder cattle futures dropped limit down to $304.975 (Jan)
- Cash fed cattle trading $5-10 lower at $210 live, $330 dressed
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Tyson announces closure of Lexington, NE plant and reduced operations at Amarillo, TX facility, cutting ~7,000-8,000 head daily capacity
- Trump administration removes 40% tariff on Brazilian beef imports
- Cattle on feed report shows weights increasing despite lower numbers, suggesting delayed marketing
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure through year-end due to:
- Reduced packing capacity shifting leverage to processors
- Increased import competition from Brazil and other countries
- Heavy front-end supplies and weights pressuring near-term prices
- Processing margins improving while feeding margins deteriorate
Key action items:
- Consider accelerating marketings of heavy cattle
- Evaluate risk management options given expanded trading limits
- Monitor basis levels for forward contracting opportunities
- Assess winter feed costs and inventory management plans
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.