DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
March 21, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: Bullish (7/10)
- Strong fundamentals despite processing challenges
- Tight cattle supplies continuing to drive market
- Price strength persisting despite reduced slaughter capacity
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Fed cattle steady at $235 live and $372 dressed
- Feeder cattle prices 10-20% higher across weight classes
- Box beef prices higher week-over-week despite recent pullback
- Carcass weights at 959 lbs (+44 lbs YOY)
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
a) JBS Greeley plant strike continues, significantly impacting processing capacity
b) March 1 Cattle on Feed report shows:
- On-feed inventory at 11.5M head (flat YOY)
- February placements up 4% YOY
- February marketings down 7% YOY
c) Major drought expansion in Western U.S., particularly Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Continued strong prices due to tight supplies
- Processing bottlenecks from reduced capacity
- Regional price variations due to plant closures
- Increased pressure from rising grain prices
- Drought conditions may force earlier marketing in affected regions
Key Risk Factors:
- Consumer resistance to high beef prices
- Rising feed costs
- Processing capacity constraints
- Expanding drought conditions in key production areas
March 21, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: Bullish (7/10)
- Strong fundamentals despite processing challenges
- Tight cattle supplies continuing to drive market
- Price strength persisting despite reduced slaughter capacity
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Fed cattle steady at $235 live and $372 dressed
- Feeder cattle prices 10-20% higher across weight classes
- Box beef prices higher week-over-week despite recent pullback
- Carcass weights at 959 lbs (+44 lbs YOY)
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
a) JBS Greeley plant strike continues, significantly impacting processing capacity
b) March 1 Cattle on Feed report shows:
- On-feed inventory at 11.5M head (flat YOY)
- February placements up 4% YOY
- February marketings down 7% YOY
c) Major drought expansion in Western U.S., particularly Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Continued strong prices due to tight supplies
- Processing bottlenecks from reduced capacity
- Regional price variations due to plant closures
- Increased pressure from rising grain prices
- Drought conditions may force earlier marketing in affected regions
Key Risk Factors:
- Consumer resistance to high beef prices
- Rising feed costs
- Processing capacity constraints
- Expanding drought conditions in key production areas
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.