DAILY CATTLE MARKET BRIEFING
April 14, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BULLISH - 8/10
The cattle market maintains strong bullish momentum with cash prices leading futures higher amid extremely tight supplies. Recent geopolitical tensions with Iran briefly pushed oil and grain prices higher before moderating, but the overall cattle market trajectory remains firmly upward despite downstream margin pressures.
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash fed cattle: $248-$249/cwt in the South, $250/cwt live and $388/cwt dressed in the North
- Choice boxed beef: $382.49/cwt, down from $392.27/cwt last week
- Select boxed beef: Currently trading at a premium to Choice (negative $1.49/cwt spread)
- Feeder cattle: 700-800 lb. steers averaging $389-$415/cwt across major markets
- Corn: Omaha prices at $4.28/bu, down slightly from previous week
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
a) JBS Greeley labor dispute resolved - Workers ratified a new two-year agreement ending the three-week strike, allowing the plant to resume normal operations. The agreement includes wage increases and bonuses without the pension plan offered at other JBS facilities.
b) New World Screwworm detected just 90 miles from Texas border - Texas Agriculture Commissioner issued urgent warning after confirmation in Mexico's Nuevo León state. This poses an imminent threat to the U.S. cattle industry, requiring heightened vigilance from producers.
c) Packer margins turned negative in February - Downstream margin pressure intensifying with packers paying more for cattle than they can recover from beef sales. Analyst reports indicate packers need $285-$365/head to cover costs, but recent margins have fallen below $250/head.
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect continued strong prices through spring with seasonal demand improvements following Easter, but significant risks are developing. The resolution of the JBS Greeley strike will help stabilize processing capacity, but negative packer margins suggest potential facility closures if trends continue. Feedlot operators face potential hedgeable losses of $100-$300 per head for the remainder of 2026, creating long-term sustainability concerns despite current strong cash prices.
Quality grade trends continue to favor premium beef production with Prime and Choice-plus now representing 39% of production compared to just 15% Select. This shift in quality, combined with record-heavy carcass weights (averaging 955 lbs, 40 lbs heavier than last year), means the industry is producing more high-quality beef with fewer animals.
Technical indicators suggest the market will reach a critical decision point before mid-May when current uptrends intersect with life-of-contract high resistance established last October. Producers should monitor this closely as it will likely determine market direction through summer.
April 14, 2026
1. MARKET SENTIMENT: BULLISH - 8/10
The cattle market maintains strong bullish momentum with cash prices leading futures higher amid extremely tight supplies. Recent geopolitical tensions with Iran briefly pushed oil and grain prices higher before moderating, but the overall cattle market trajectory remains firmly upward despite downstream margin pressures.
2. KEY PRICE TRENDS:
- Cash fed cattle: $248-$249/cwt in the South, $250/cwt live and $388/cwt dressed in the North
- Choice boxed beef: $382.49/cwt, down from $392.27/cwt last week
- Select boxed beef: Currently trading at a premium to Choice (negative $1.49/cwt spread)
- Feeder cattle: 700-800 lb. steers averaging $389-$415/cwt across major markets
- Corn: Omaha prices at $4.28/bu, down slightly from previous week
3. TOP 3 NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
a) JBS Greeley labor dispute resolved - Workers ratified a new two-year agreement ending the three-week strike, allowing the plant to resume normal operations. The agreement includes wage increases and bonuses without the pension plan offered at other JBS facilities.
b) New World Screwworm detected just 90 miles from Texas border - Texas Agriculture Commissioner issued urgent warning after confirmation in Mexico's Nuevo León state. This poses an imminent threat to the U.S. cattle industry, requiring heightened vigilance from producers.
c) Packer margins turned negative in February - Downstream margin pressure intensifying with packers paying more for cattle than they can recover from beef sales. Analyst reports indicate packers need $285-$365/head to cover costs, but recent margins have fallen below $250/head.
4. OUTLOOK:
Ranchers should expect continued strong prices through spring with seasonal demand improvements following Easter, but significant risks are developing. The resolution of the JBS Greeley strike will help stabilize processing capacity, but negative packer margins suggest potential facility closures if trends continue. Feedlot operators face potential hedgeable losses of $100-$300 per head for the remainder of 2026, creating long-term sustainability concerns despite current strong cash prices.
Quality grade trends continue to favor premium beef production with Prime and Choice-plus now representing 39% of production compared to just 15% Select. This shift in quality, combined with record-heavy carcass weights (averaging 955 lbs, 40 lbs heavier than last year), means the industry is producing more high-quality beef with fewer animals.
Technical indicators suggest the market will reach a critical decision point before mid-May when current uptrends intersect with life-of-contract high resistance established last October. Producers should monitor this closely as it will likely determine market direction through summer.
For more detailed information or specific market data, please contact your local extension office or market analyst.