DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
February 18, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Moderately Bearish (4/10)
- Processors and feeders both experiencing losses currently
- Plant closings and adjusted slaughter rates creating market uncertainty
- Drought concerns growing in key regions like Texas Panhandle
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash cattle: Higher in North ($245-246 live, $378-382 dressed)
- South prices rose to $246-249, mainly $248 in Texas
- Choice cutout down $3.01 to $364.76
- Select cutout down $1.01 to $360.22
- Slaughter volume at 541,000 head, down 21,000 from last year
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Five individuals indicted in $220M cattle fraud scheme involving Agridime LLC and purported cattle purchase contracts
2. Argentina beef import quota increased from 20,000 to 100,000 metric tons, though impact expected to be minimal (less than 1% of US supply)
3. Dairy segment entering liquidation phase following drops in cheese, milk and butter prices - expect increased dairy cow slaughter
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for:
- Continued tight margins as both packers and feeders post losses
- Steady to lower slaughter rates as industry adjusts to plant closures
- Growing drought concerns that could impact herd rebuilding efforts
- Potential market disruption from ongoing fraud investigations
- Dairy cow liquidation providing additional beef supply pressure
The market remains in a challenging position with both sectors (processing and feeding) experiencing losses. While spring beef demand improvements are hoped for, current conditions suggest continued near-term pressure on prices.
February 18, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Moderately Bearish (4/10)
- Processors and feeders both experiencing losses currently
- Plant closings and adjusted slaughter rates creating market uncertainty
- Drought concerns growing in key regions like Texas Panhandle
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash cattle: Higher in North ($245-246 live, $378-382 dressed)
- South prices rose to $246-249, mainly $248 in Texas
- Choice cutout down $3.01 to $364.76
- Select cutout down $1.01 to $360.22
- Slaughter volume at 541,000 head, down 21,000 from last year
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Five individuals indicted in $220M cattle fraud scheme involving Agridime LLC and purported cattle purchase contracts
2. Argentina beef import quota increased from 20,000 to 100,000 metric tons, though impact expected to be minimal (less than 1% of US supply)
3. Dairy segment entering liquidation phase following drops in cheese, milk and butter prices - expect increased dairy cow slaughter
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for:
- Continued tight margins as both packers and feeders post losses
- Steady to lower slaughter rates as industry adjusts to plant closures
- Growing drought concerns that could impact herd rebuilding efforts
- Potential market disruption from ongoing fraud investigations
- Dairy cow liquidation providing additional beef supply pressure
The market remains in a challenging position with both sectors (processing and feeding) experiencing losses. While spring beef demand improvements are hoped for, current conditions suggest continued near-term pressure on prices.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.