Cattle Chatter

The cattle market faced a tough week, with funds eyeing the exits and soft cash trade in the North adding pressure. This week we are joined by Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek. With markets closed Thursday and not much market activity, leaving traders in wait-and-see mode. With a full trading week ahead before the July 4th holiday slowdown, all eyes will be on whether cash movement can pick up and stabilize the tone.

Cattle trade remains in a holding pattern as the market waits for more widespread cash activity, following some light movement in the South earlier this week. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the regional dynamics at play. The June WASDE report offered little in terms of market-moving news for livestock, keeping reactions muted. Meanwhile, earlier ICE raids have raised concerns, with some processing facilities reportedly impacted by labor disruptions. While cash remains strong, there's a noticeable fatigue in the back-month futures, suggesting a market in search of fresh direction.

Extreme cash strength continues to drive the cattle market, with Southern trade $3–9 higher and Northern action still developing. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek points to a tight supply of cattle and very current show lists in the North as key drivers. He also notes the market is playing a familiar "buy the rumor, sell the fact" pattern, which has dominated the past two weeks. This marks the first full week under the new daily limits, adding another layer of volatility. Brad also weighs in on renewed chatter about launching an overnight cattle trade.

Tuesday's New World Screwworm rumors still linger in the background, raising the question—did they serve as a wake-up call to just how quickly the market could react if they proved true? On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses the all-time highs in the cattle market, the continued passing on of packer bids in the North, and how the conversation around herd rebuilding is gaining momentum. Looking ahead, be prepared: the CME will implement new daily trading limits for cattle next week, with some chatter resurfacing about possibly reintroducing an overnight trade session.

Cattle futures climbed to a six-session high, as feedlots continue to reject packer bids—marking a shift in market leverage. Boxed beef prices moved higher again, signaling solid consumer demand, while early signs of herd rebuilding are emerging across key regions. Show list cleanup is underway. Brad Kooima of Kooima, Kooima & Varilek weighs in on last week's chart reversal and the current basis situation. Meanwhile, recent rains brought relief to dry areas of cattle country, easing concerns about short pasture supply and keeping more cows at home.

The cattle market hit a wall midweek, reminding traders just how fast conditions can shift. Futures opened sharply lower, bounced briefly, then fell again. Live cattle dropped $1.50 to $2.65, while feeder cattle slid $3 to nearly $5. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the cash vs. futures trade action. Cash trade is developing in the Plains—Nebraska reported $229 live and $358 dressed, both stronger than last week. Kansas and Texas are mostly steady to slightly weaker. Choice beef cutout values are firmer, but packer margins remain deep in the red—down nearly $177 per head.

This week's cash cattle market knocked it out of the park, with bids reaching as high as $228. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down another solid jump in cash trade—both north and south—plus good movement in August feeders and June live cattle. He also digs into the widening basis and the CME's recent tweak to what many know as the "Worthing Discount."

This week's cash cattle market knocked it out of the park, with bids reaching as high as $228. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down another solid jump in cash trade—both north and south—plus good movement in August feeders and June live cattle. He also digs into the widening basis and the CME's recent tweak to what many know as the "Worthing Discount."

The cattle market is feeling extremely overbought, with all-time highs in the cash trade. Demand remains strong, driven by tight supplies and packers needing to fill the rail. Carcass weights are high, and beef continues to outpace pork and chicken at the meat counter. The big question now: is there still room for risk management—does hedging make sense at these levels?

This weeks Cattle Chatter with Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the whys we have seen this week.

Light trade is starting to surface in Kansas, with plenty of talk about just how tight supplies are. In fact, some feed yards are reportedly shipping cattle north to find available processing space. On this week's Cattle Chatter we hear from Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek as he talks on open interest continues to slip, but the funds don't appear to be going anywhere just yet. On the export front, the clock is ticking for American-style BBQ joints in Beijing—owners say they've got about two weeks' worth of U.S. beef left in the freezer. After that, it's likely a switch to Australian beef as tariffs squeeze supplies.