DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
March 13, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Strongly Bearish (2/10)
- Multiple negative factors converging to create significant downward pressure
- Plant closures, labor issues, and international tensions weighing heavily on markets
- Cash prices tumbling with $5-8 lower trades across major regions
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: $233-236 range, down $5-8 from previous week
- Dressed sales mostly at $372, showing significant weakness
- Weekly slaughter at 521,000 head, down 58,000 from last year
- Carcass weights up 40# from last year at 960#
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. JBS Greeley Strike: 3,800 workers set to strike Monday, March 16; plant has already cancelled this week's slaughter
2. Middle East Crisis: Disrupting global feed supply chains and shipping routes, driving up input costs
3. Tyson Lexington Impact: DOL awards $1.67M in worker assistance following 3,200-worker layoff
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued market pressure through Q2 2026 due to:
- Reduced slaughter capacity from plant closures and labor issues
- Rising feed costs from global shipping disruptions
- Oversupply concerns as plants reduce kill schedules
- Consumer resistance to high beef prices forcing price structure reset
Recommendation: Consider marketing cattle ahead of schedule where possible, as multiple factors suggest additional downside risk in coming weeks.
March 13, 2026
MARKET SENTIMENT: Strongly Bearish (2/10)
- Multiple negative factors converging to create significant downward pressure
- Plant closures, labor issues, and international tensions weighing heavily on markets
- Cash prices tumbling with $5-8 lower trades across major regions
KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: $233-236 range, down $5-8 from previous week
- Dressed sales mostly at $372, showing significant weakness
- Weekly slaughter at 521,000 head, down 58,000 from last year
- Carcass weights up 40# from last year at 960#
TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
1. JBS Greeley Strike: 3,800 workers set to strike Monday, March 16; plant has already cancelled this week's slaughter
2. Middle East Crisis: Disrupting global feed supply chains and shipping routes, driving up input costs
3. Tyson Lexington Impact: DOL awards $1.67M in worker assistance following 3,200-worker layoff
OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should prepare for continued market pressure through Q2 2026 due to:
- Reduced slaughter capacity from plant closures and labor issues
- Rising feed costs from global shipping disruptions
- Oversupply concerns as plants reduce kill schedules
- Consumer resistance to high beef prices forcing price structure reset
Recommendation: Consider marketing cattle ahead of schedule where possible, as multiple factors suggest additional downside risk in coming weeks.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.