DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
February 28, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
- Cash market showing weakness with $3-4 lower prices
- Futures tanked on lower cash sales and geopolitical concerns
- Industry sentiment cautious despite tight supplies
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash cattle: $243-245 live, $383-384 dressed (down $3-4)
- Choice cutout: $379.84 (up $1.95)
- Select cutout: $374.31 (up $3.52)
- Feeder futures down sharply: March -$6.225, April -$7.550
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Record-high quality grade reported at 89.4% Choice or better
- Sharp decline in weekly slaughter to 516,000 head (-49,000 vs last year)
- JBS announces $150M Cactus plant expansion, completion early 2027
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure in the near term due to:
- Packer margins remain deeply negative
- Slaughter volumes declining significantly
- Consumer resistance at record-high price levels
- Possible additional plant closures
However, longer-term support exists from:
- Historically tight cattle supplies
- Strong demand for premium beef grades
- Projected 58% increase in Missouri farm income for 2025
- Continued industry investment in processing capacity
February 28, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: Bearish (3/10)
- Cash market showing weakness with $3-4 lower prices
- Futures tanked on lower cash sales and geopolitical concerns
- Industry sentiment cautious despite tight supplies
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash cattle: $243-245 live, $383-384 dressed (down $3-4)
- Choice cutout: $379.84 (up $1.95)
- Select cutout: $374.31 (up $3.52)
- Feeder futures down sharply: March -$6.225, April -$7.550
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Record-high quality grade reported at 89.4% Choice or better
- Sharp decline in weekly slaughter to 516,000 head (-49,000 vs last year)
- JBS announces $150M Cactus plant expansion, completion early 2027
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued price pressure in the near term due to:
- Packer margins remain deeply negative
- Slaughter volumes declining significantly
- Consumer resistance at record-high price levels
- Possible additional plant closures
However, longer-term support exists from:
- Historically tight cattle supplies
- Strong demand for premium beef grades
- Projected 58% increase in Missouri farm income for 2025
- Continued industry investment in processing capacity
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.