DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
December 6, 2025
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BULLISH (8/10)
- Cash cattle and futures showing strong upward momentum
- Technical indicators improving after recent correction
- Weather impacts and tight supplies driving positive sentiment
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures up $2.10 to $224.00 (Feb contract)
- Cash cattle trading $220-225, up $10 from last week
- Choice boxed beef at $362.72, down slightly
- Feeder cattle futures up $4.725 to $336.575 (Jan contract)
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Severe winter weather across Plains/Midwest supporting prices
- FDA conditionally approves new screwworm prevention drug (Exzolt)
- Non-tariff trade barriers increasingly impacting US beef exports, particularly in China and EU
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Near-term price strength supported by weather impacts and tight supplies
- Continued volatility but fundamentals remain supportive
- Political/trade barriers to remain key market factors into 2026
- Potential recovery in futures markets as year-end approaches
- Fed rate cuts likely in December, potentially supporting demand
Market fundamentals continue to indicate tight supplies and strong pricing power, though trade barriers and political uncertainty remain key risks. Weather impacts and reduced cattle availability should support prices through year-end despite recent corrections.
December 6, 2025
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BULLISH (8/10)
- Cash cattle and futures showing strong upward momentum
- Technical indicators improving after recent correction
- Weather impacts and tight supplies driving positive sentiment
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures up $2.10 to $224.00 (Feb contract)
- Cash cattle trading $220-225, up $10 from last week
- Choice boxed beef at $362.72, down slightly
- Feeder cattle futures up $4.725 to $336.575 (Jan contract)
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Severe winter weather across Plains/Midwest supporting prices
- FDA conditionally approves new screwworm prevention drug (Exzolt)
- Non-tariff trade barriers increasingly impacting US beef exports, particularly in China and EU
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Near-term price strength supported by weather impacts and tight supplies
- Continued volatility but fundamentals remain supportive
- Political/trade barriers to remain key market factors into 2026
- Potential recovery in futures markets as year-end approaches
- Fed rate cuts likely in December, potentially supporting demand
Market fundamentals continue to indicate tight supplies and strong pricing power, though trade barriers and political uncertainty remain key risks. Weather impacts and reduced cattle availability should support prices through year-end despite recent corrections.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.