DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
November 29, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
- Major structural shift with Tyson plant closure announcement
- Processing capacity reduction signals challenging period ahead for cattle producers
- Record losses expected for feeding industry as leverage shifts to packers
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures rebounding slightly after recent declines
- Kansas cash sales at $220, while Northern sales lagged at $208-210
- Boxed beef: Choice cutout down $1.46 to $366.82, Select down $4.46 to $351.05
- Feeder cattle prices down $10-20/cwt, calves down $20-40/cwt
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Tyson announces closure of Lexington, NE beef plant and downsizing of Amarillo facility, reducing industry processing capacity
2. Cargill commits to keeping beef plants open, investing $90M in Colorado facility
3. China extends beef import investigation by two months, providing temporary relief from potential trade restrictions
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for:
- Continued downward pressure on cattle prices as processing capacity tightens
- Reduced leverage in price negotiations with packers
- Potential empty pens at feedlots as operators face $250/head projected losses
- Earlier-than-expected herd rebuilding could provide some relief by late 2026
- Focus on quality differentiation as packers chase premium cattle to maintain margins
November 29, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
- Major structural shift with Tyson plant closure announcement
- Processing capacity reduction signals challenging period ahead for cattle producers
- Record losses expected for feeding industry as leverage shifts to packers
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures rebounding slightly after recent declines
- Kansas cash sales at $220, while Northern sales lagged at $208-210
- Boxed beef: Choice cutout down $1.46 to $366.82, Select down $4.46 to $351.05
- Feeder cattle prices down $10-20/cwt, calves down $20-40/cwt
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Tyson announces closure of Lexington, NE beef plant and downsizing of Amarillo facility, reducing industry processing capacity
2. Cargill commits to keeping beef plants open, investing $90M in Colorado facility
3. China extends beef import investigation by two months, providing temporary relief from potential trade restrictions
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for:
- Continued downward pressure on cattle prices as processing capacity tightens
- Reduced leverage in price negotiations with packers
- Potential empty pens at feedlots as operators face $250/head projected losses
- Earlier-than-expected herd rebuilding could provide some relief by late 2026
- Focus on quality differentiation as packers chase premium cattle to maintain margins
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.