Cattle Chatter

This week is bringing stronger cash potential to the cattle market, but questions remain about the role of heavier cattle in today's trade. Are bigger cattle an asset—or a drawback? Concerns are surfacing about potential discounts, lost product, or even cattle being turned away due to size, along with possible processing inefficiencies. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek takes a deeper dive into the Choice/Select spread and what it signals for the market. Meanwhile, the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report showed an increase in corn demand—potentially a nod to larger cattle weights continuing in the system.

The cattle market continues its upward momentum, posting a sixth straight day of gains. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses the shift in market personality, including why June cattle futures are trading at a premium to April. In the cash market, bids around $245 are being passed in the country, signaling strong seller confidence. At the same time, there are growing concerns that wildfires in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska could push more cows to market due to limited feed availability. However, the outlook ends on a positive note, with signs of increased heifer retention in the Northern Plains.

The cattle market is still waiting on full cash trade, with futures reacting to ongoing outside market pressure and broader uncertainty. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down how those outside factors are tying back into the cattle complex, while also highlighting the continued push for strong beef demand as we head into grilling season. At the same time, a renewed emphasis on "Product of the USA" from the United States Department of Agriculture is raising questions about what that could mean for beef moving forward.

The cattle market is running into some technical resistance in the trade, even as strong growing conditions over the past 12 months continue to show up in heavier cattle weights. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses the ongoing Greeley strike and its impact on the market, along with improving packer margins compared to just three weeks ago—raising hopes for increased Saturday slaughter runs. With the Cattle on Feed report due out Friday, cash trade may remain quiet until more clarity is available. Viewers are also asking about the Nebraska wildfires and why markets haven't fully reacted, as well as lingering questions tied to the Holcomb fire and overall slaughter numbers.

The boxed beef market took another jump as the week comes to a close. However, lower cash trade surfaced early, with sales reported at $235 and $236—about a $5 drop from the previous week. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses why those early sales showed up, noting that packers are currently making money and that could lead to questions about whether Saturday slaughter schedules might pick up. As the market works through these dynamics, the cattle complex may simply have to "chop wood" for the next 30 days.

Limited cash movement is being seen as the week winds down. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek takes a closer look at who may ultimately win the leverage battle between packers and producers. Packer margins have started to improve, even as the market contends with a sluggish feeder cattle trade. Meanwhile, rain moving into the southern Plains should bring some relief to dry pastures, and the industry continues to watch closely as workers at the Greeley, Colorado plant weigh the possibility of going on strike.

The cash cattle market is showing signs of deterioration, and some traders believe the complex may be technically overbought. From a chart perspective, markets are not in a favorable position, adding to the cautious tone. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses plant closure rumors circulating out of South Dakota, the lingering fear factors tied to JBS, and whether the market has stretched itself too far to the upside. Still, as we're often reminded — the market does what the market does, sometimes without a clear or logical reason.

Cash is still king in the cattle market, with Northwest Iowa seeing trades at $250, reinforcing the strength of negotiated cash. Attention now turns to Friday, which brings two potential market movers: the latest Cattle on Feed report and another vote at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colorado. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the strong cash movement, the impact of heavier cattle, and answers a listener question about cattle in Mexico and whether more are now being processed south of the border.

Choppy trade defined the cattle market this week, highlighted by a midweek boost on Wednesday before momentum faded again. As we begin to move into the seasonal strength period for boxed beef, attention is also turning to how that demand trend may influence cash and futures in the weeks ahead. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek shares insight into the ongoing negotiations at the JBS plant in Greeley, where the threat of a strike still looms. We also field listener and viewer questions, including why southern buyers are sourcing more cattle from the north and whether producers can continue to count on access to lower-priced feedstuffs.

Markets turned jittery Thursday after news broke that workers at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colorado, voted to strike, sending an early ripple through the cattle complex as traders worked to price in the risk of disruption at one of the nation's largest beef processors. When a major plant faces labor uncertainty, it can quickly shift leverage in the cash market. Packers may find themselves bidding more aggressively to secure cattle they must move, which can help firm negotiated cash prices and tighten grid and forward bids. At the same time, live and feeder cattle futures often experience added volatility as trading algorithms react instantly to headlines before the full fundamental picture is digested — and that appeared to be the case in Thursday's morning trade.

On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down how those algorithms contributed to a choppy, exaggerated open and why futures can overshoot in moments like this before settling back into a more rational range. Broadcasting from the floor of #CattleCon26, we also took questions straight from cattle producers and industry partners about the issues weighing on their minds. Drought concerns heading into spring remain top of mind for cow/calf operators trying to plan grazing and manage input risk, while beef-on-dairy continues to be a hot topic as producers debate whether it represents a long-term structural shift in supply. And of course, there was no shortage of discussion around last week's $240 cash trade, with many asking whether that level signals a new baseline or a seasonal spike. This special edition of Cattle Chatter from the trade show floor at CattleCon26 is brought to you by Corteva.