DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
December 26, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Moderately Bearish (4/10)
- Pre-holiday trading shows weakening prices and cautious sentiment
- Record high grading (86.9% Choice/Prime) indicates quality supply
- Producer survey reveals pessimistic outlook for 2026
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash cattle steady at $230/cwt in North, dressed at $357
- Choice cutout down $1.15 to $354.62
- Futures traded lower with reduced holiday volumes
- Retail beef prices hit new records (ground beef $6.54/lb, +16% YOY)
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Slaughter volume dropped to 587,000 head (-9,000 WOW, -29,000 YOY) with reduced packer margins
2. Price reporting system showing major deterioration with only 2 of 5 regions reporting
3. Empty feedlot pens becoming more common, especially in Texas, as operators resist high replacement costs
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure in early 2026 due to:
- Reduced packer margins limiting upside potential
- Dysfunctional price discovery system creating market uncertainty
- High replacement costs deterring feedlot placements
- However, strong retail demand and record quality grades provide some support
December 26, 2025
MARKET SENTIMENT: Moderately Bearish (4/10)
- Pre-holiday trading shows weakening prices and cautious sentiment
- Record high grading (86.9% Choice/Prime) indicates quality supply
- Producer survey reveals pessimistic outlook for 2026
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash cattle steady at $230/cwt in North, dressed at $357
- Choice cutout down $1.15 to $354.62
- Futures traded lower with reduced holiday volumes
- Retail beef prices hit new records (ground beef $6.54/lb, +16% YOY)
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Slaughter volume dropped to 587,000 head (-9,000 WOW, -29,000 YOY) with reduced packer margins
2. Price reporting system showing major deterioration with only 2 of 5 regions reporting
3. Empty feedlot pens becoming more common, especially in Texas, as operators resist high replacement costs
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure in early 2026 due to:
- Reduced packer margins limiting upside potential
- Dysfunctional price discovery system creating market uncertainty
- High replacement costs deterring feedlot placements
- However, strong retail demand and record quality grades provide some support
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.