DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
November 27, 2025
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
- Markets experiencing significant downward pressure following Tyson plant closure news
- Fed cattle prices down $5-10 with packers gaining leverage
- Futures showing extreme volatility with limit-down moves in recent sessions
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: Down ~$30/cwt since mid-October
- Feeder cattle: Down ~$42/cwt since mid-October
- Choice boxed beef cutout: $372.05/cwt
- Select boxed beef cutout: $358.97/cwt
- Carcass weights up 32# from last year at 957#
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Tyson closing Lexington, NE plant and reducing Amarillo operations, cutting industry capacity by 7-9%
- China extends beef import investigation by two months through January 2026
- Slaughter volume increased to 585,000 head last week, up 9,000 from previous week but still 50,000 under last year
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Continued price pressure as market absorbs reduced processing capacity
- Stronger packer margins as plants reach 90% utilization
- Limited upside potential through year-end as market seeks new equilibrium
- Increased focus on risk management strategies given extreme volatility
- Potential opportunities in local/regional processing but significant barriers remain
The market is undergoing a major structural shift with the Tyson announcement. While fundamentally tight cattle supplies haven't changed, uncertainty around processing capacity and import policy is driving significant near-term weakness. Producers should focus on protecting downside risk while this adjustment plays out.
November 27, 2025
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
- Markets experiencing significant downward pressure following Tyson plant closure news
- Fed cattle prices down $5-10 with packers gaining leverage
- Futures showing extreme volatility with limit-down moves in recent sessions
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: Down ~$30/cwt since mid-October
- Feeder cattle: Down ~$42/cwt since mid-October
- Choice boxed beef cutout: $372.05/cwt
- Select boxed beef cutout: $358.97/cwt
- Carcass weights up 32# from last year at 957#
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Tyson closing Lexington, NE plant and reducing Amarillo operations, cutting industry capacity by 7-9%
- China extends beef import investigation by two months through January 2026
- Slaughter volume increased to 585,000 head last week, up 9,000 from previous week but still 50,000 under last year
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Continued price pressure as market absorbs reduced processing capacity
- Stronger packer margins as plants reach 90% utilization
- Limited upside potential through year-end as market seeks new equilibrium
- Increased focus on risk management strategies given extreme volatility
- Potential opportunities in local/regional processing but significant barriers remain
The market is undergoing a major structural shift with the Tyson announcement. While fundamentally tight cattle supplies haven't changed, uncertainty around processing capacity and import policy is driving significant near-term weakness. Producers should focus on protecting downside risk while this adjustment plays out.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.