DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
January 29, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Neutral to Slightly Bearish (5/10)
- Markets showing mixed signals with futures easing after recent gains
- Weather impacts moderating as extreme cold subsides
- Cash trade development slow but steady
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live Cattle: Feb futures at $235.60 (-0.425)
- Feeder Cattle: March futures at $362.00 (-0.600)
- Cash cattle trading $233-236 live basis, $370 dressed
- Choice cutout up $6.54 week-over-week
- Select cutout up $2.20 week-over-week
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Cattle on Feed Report shows inventory at 11.45M head (96.8% of 2025), with December placements at 1.55M head (95% vs 2025) - indicating continued tight supplies
2. Heifer retention remains low at 38.73% of feedlot inventory, suggesting limited herd rebuilding
3. Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady at 3.5-3.75% range, maintaining relatively favorable borrowing conditions
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Near-term price stability as weather impacts fade
- Continued tight supplies supporting firm cash prices
- Strong domestic beef demand despite high retail prices
- Growing concerns about Mexican border issues and potential screwworm impacts
- Potential pressure from rising feed costs as corn trends higher
Producers should focus on risk management given market volatility and consider forward contracting opportunities while prices remain historically strong. Watch for Friday's biannual USDA Cattle Inventory report for additional market direction.
January 29, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Neutral to Slightly Bearish (5/10)
- Markets showing mixed signals with futures easing after recent gains
- Weather impacts moderating as extreme cold subsides
- Cash trade development slow but steady
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live Cattle: Feb futures at $235.60 (-0.425)
- Feeder Cattle: March futures at $362.00 (-0.600)
- Cash cattle trading $233-236 live basis, $370 dressed
- Choice cutout up $6.54 week-over-week
- Select cutout up $2.20 week-over-week
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Cattle on Feed Report shows inventory at 11.45M head (96.8% of 2025), with December placements at 1.55M head (95% vs 2025) - indicating continued tight supplies
2. Heifer retention remains low at 38.73% of feedlot inventory, suggesting limited herd rebuilding
3. Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady at 3.5-3.75% range, maintaining relatively favorable borrowing conditions
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Near-term price stability as weather impacts fade
- Continued tight supplies supporting firm cash prices
- Strong domestic beef demand despite high retail prices
- Growing concerns about Mexican border issues and potential screwworm impacts
- Potential pressure from rising feed costs as corn trends higher
Producers should focus on risk management given market volatility and consider forward contracting opportunities while prices remain historically strong. Watch for Friday's biannual USDA Cattle Inventory report for additional market direction.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.