DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
February 25, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Moderately Bullish (7/10)
Record-high quality grades and tight supplies supporting strong prices despite some headwinds from reduced slaughter volumes.
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: $247-249/cwt in North, $249-250/cwt in South
- Choice cutout: $377.43 (+$8.21)
- Select cutout: $366.01 (+$1.70)
- Quality grade hits all-time record at 89.4% Choice or better
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Weekly slaughter drops sharply to 516,000 head (-25,000 from previous week, -49,000 from 2025), likely to drive higher box prices
2. Border closure continues impacting Texas/Kansas cattle on feed numbers while Tyson plant closure affects Nebraska numbers
3. Processors facing large negative margins, may need to reduce slaughter volumes or close additional plants
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect continued strong prices supported by historically tight supplies, though risks are emerging:
- Reduced slaughter capacity putting pressure on processors
- Growing concerns about consumer resistance to high beef prices
- Political pressure on inflation and potential increase in imports
- Futures markets showing signs of weakness despite cash strength
Maintaining current price levels will require careful management of supply chain constraints and consumer demand factors in coming weeks. Focus should be on marketing finished cattle promptly while prices remain elevated.
February 25, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Moderately Bullish (7/10)
Record-high quality grades and tight supplies supporting strong prices despite some headwinds from reduced slaughter volumes.
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: $247-249/cwt in North, $249-250/cwt in South
- Choice cutout: $377.43 (+$8.21)
- Select cutout: $366.01 (+$1.70)
- Quality grade hits all-time record at 89.4% Choice or better
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. Weekly slaughter drops sharply to 516,000 head (-25,000 from previous week, -49,000 from 2025), likely to drive higher box prices
2. Border closure continues impacting Texas/Kansas cattle on feed numbers while Tyson plant closure affects Nebraska numbers
3. Processors facing large negative margins, may need to reduce slaughter volumes or close additional plants
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect continued strong prices supported by historically tight supplies, though risks are emerging:
- Reduced slaughter capacity putting pressure on processors
- Growing concerns about consumer resistance to high beef prices
- Political pressure on inflation and potential increase in imports
- Futures markets showing signs of weakness despite cash strength
Maintaining current price levels will require careful management of supply chain constraints and consumer demand factors in coming weeks. Focus should be on marketing finished cattle promptly while prices remain elevated.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.