DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
December 20, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (4/10)
- Multiple plant closures and weaker boxed beef prices creating downward pressure
- Cattle futures sliding despite historically tight supplies
- December Cattle on Feed report shows lowest November placements since 1996
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures down 1.15 cents to 228.40 (Feb contract)
- Feeder cattle futures down 1.725 cents to 334.60 (March contract)
- Choice boxed beef up slightly to $357.04/cwt but Select cuts dropped $2.38
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Major capacity reduction as both Tyson (Lexington, NE) and JBS (Riverside, CA) announce plant closures effective early 2026
2. December Cattle on Feed report shows placements down 11% vs 2024, with total inventory 2% below last year
3. Packers struggling with negative margins despite record-high cattle prices, leading to reduced slaughter schedules
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price volatility into early 2026 as the industry absorbs reduced processing capacity against historically tight cattle supplies. While fundamentals remain supportive long-term due to the smallest cattle herd since 1950s, near-term pressure from plant closures and weaker boxed beef prices could limit upside. Strategic marketing will be critical as regional price differences may widen due to altered slaughter capacity geography.
December 20, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (4/10)
- Multiple plant closures and weaker boxed beef prices creating downward pressure
- Cattle futures sliding despite historically tight supplies
- December Cattle on Feed report shows lowest November placements since 1996
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle futures down 1.15 cents to 228.40 (Feb contract)
- Feeder cattle futures down 1.725 cents to 334.60 (March contract)
- Choice boxed beef up slightly to $357.04/cwt but Select cuts dropped $2.38
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Major capacity reduction as both Tyson (Lexington, NE) and JBS (Riverside, CA) announce plant closures effective early 2026
2. December Cattle on Feed report shows placements down 11% vs 2024, with total inventory 2% below last year
3. Packers struggling with negative margins despite record-high cattle prices, leading to reduced slaughter schedules
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price volatility into early 2026 as the industry absorbs reduced processing capacity against historically tight cattle supplies. While fundamentals remain supportive long-term due to the smallest cattle herd since 1950s, near-term pressure from plant closures and weaker boxed beef prices could limit upside. Strategic marketing will be critical as regional price differences may widen due to altered slaughter capacity geography.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.