DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
March 31, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BULLISH (8/10)
- Strong upward momentum in cash and futures markets
- Post-Easter period historically positive for beef demand
- Box prices rebounding after brief Select premium over Choice
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: North $235-240, South $234-238
- Dressed sales steady at $372
- Choice boxed beef cutout dropped to $394.71 from recent peak of $402
- Feeder cattle hitting record levels: 500-600lb steers $500-525 across major markets
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Extreme weather impacting Western/Central U.S. with destructive wildfires affecting Nebraska livestock
- Weekly slaughter at 520,000 head - down 89,000 from last year, raising questions about on-feed numbers
- Carcass weights at 966 lbs, up 47 lbs year-over-year, supporting high quality grades
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Continued strong prices supported by tight supplies
- Growing drought concerns could accelerate marketings
- Rising corn prices (+$0.25/bu) may pressure feeder margins
- Quality premiums may narrow as grading remains historically high
- Watch for wildfire risks in Plains states affecting operations
Key Risk Factors:
- Expanding drought conditions across cattle country
- Consumer resistance to record-high beef prices
- Rising feed costs impacting replacement cattle economics
- Potential market disruption from weather events
March 31, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BULLISH (8/10)
- Strong upward momentum in cash and futures markets
- Post-Easter period historically positive for beef demand
- Box prices rebounding after brief Select premium over Choice
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Live cattle: North $235-240, South $234-238
- Dressed sales steady at $372
- Choice boxed beef cutout dropped to $394.71 from recent peak of $402
- Feeder cattle hitting record levels: 500-600lb steers $500-525 across major markets
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Extreme weather impacting Western/Central U.S. with destructive wildfires affecting Nebraska livestock
- Weekly slaughter at 520,000 head - down 89,000 from last year, raising questions about on-feed numbers
- Carcass weights at 966 lbs, up 47 lbs year-over-year, supporting high quality grades
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect:
- Continued strong prices supported by tight supplies
- Growing drought concerns could accelerate marketings
- Rising corn prices (+$0.25/bu) may pressure feeder margins
- Quality premiums may narrow as grading remains historically high
- Watch for wildfire risks in Plains states affecting operations
Key Risk Factors:
- Expanding drought conditions across cattle country
- Consumer resistance to record-high beef prices
- Rising feed costs impacting replacement cattle economics
- Potential market disruption from weather events
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.