Cattle traded all over the board this week, starting the week on the defense in both contracts but then recovered after trading to major support. A higher stock market pushed higher by another interest rate cut added support. A late push in cash added support. Technical buying was also evident as cattle broke above the 50% retracement level from the recent high to recent low.
Cattle opened the week lower in both contracts and extended losses. Live cattle managed to stage a slight recovery late due to weather concerns. Forecasts are calling for wintery weather to move through the Midwest which will disrupt cattle movement and slow feedlot efficiency. Technical selling was also evident as traders took money off the table ahead of USDA’s December Crop Production report. The week of Nov 6 saw beef exports of 8,776 MT, a 7-week low. USDA released their 10-year Baseline Projections on Monday. 2026 beef production is estimated at 25.46 billion pounds vs 25.82 billion pounds last year. Beef consumption is estimated to decline to 56.8 pounds per capita vs 58.4 pounds last year.
Small losses were seen in the cattle markets on Tuesday. Live cattle opened the session mixed while feeder cattle started higher. Talk of increased imports from Brazil and Argentina pressured cattle early, but technical buying helped to push cattle back into the black. Strong demand and firm cash trades added support. Losses were kept in check by forecasts calling for adverse weather for much of the Midwest. USDA is estimating 2025 beef production at 26.016 billion pounds, up 194 million pounds. 2026 beef production was estimated at 25.792 billion pounds, up 335 million pounds. Most of the increase in production is due to increases in slaughter weights.
Buying returned to the cattle market midweek. Live cattle started the session steady to firm while feeder cattle opened the session steady to lower. Early pressure spilled over from Tuesday’s disappointing performance. Cattle were able to shake off the selling pressure and push higher with support coming from expectations for a strong cash trade. Technical buying was also evident as cattle make their way to test gaps left in the market from late Oct. Gains were kept in check by import concerns as USDA increased beef imports substantially in their Dec Crop Production report. For 2026 USDA increased beef imports 500 million pounds to 5.45 billion.
Cattle gapped higher and never really looked back Thursday as most months traded with strong gains throughout the day. Support came from a strong cash market with bids taking place up $6 to $8. A weak US dollar and strong stock market added support. Technically cattle traded through their 50% retracement level of the recent high and recent low. The next level of resistance sits above the gap that was formed around Oct 23-24. USDA’s export sales report for the week of Nov 13 estimated beef exports at 3.863 MT. The CME cash feeder cattle index decreased 47 cents to now be at $344.03.
For the week, Dec live cattle closed at $229.80 up $2.65. Jan feeder cattle closed at $339.10 up 5 cents.
Cattle Weekly Comments December 12
Cattle Weekly Comments December 12
Cattle traded all over the board this week, starting the week on the defense in both contracts but then recovered after trading to major support. A higher stock market pushed higher by another interest rate cut added support. A late push in cash added support. Technical buying was also evident as cattle broke above the 50% retracement level from the recent high to recent low.
Cattle opened the week lower in both contracts and extended losses. Live cattle managed to stage a slight recovery late due to weather concerns. Forecasts are calling for wintery weather to move through the Midwest which will disrupt cattle movement and slow feedlot efficiency. Technical selling was also evident as traders took money off the table ahead of USDA’s December Crop Production report. The week of Nov 6 saw beef exports of 8,776 MT, a 7-week low. USDA released their 10-year Baseline Projections on Monday. 2026 beef production is estimated at 25.46 billion pounds vs 25.82 billion pounds last year. Beef consumption is estimated to decline to 56.8 pounds per capita vs 58.4 pounds last year.
Small losses were seen in the cattle markets on Tuesday. Live cattle opened the session mixed while feeder cattle started higher. Talk of increased imports from Brazil and Argentina pressured cattle early, but technical buying helped to push cattle back into the black. Strong demand and firm cash trades added support. Losses were kept in check by forecasts calling for adverse weather for much of the Midwest. USDA is estimating 2025 beef production at 26.016 billion pounds, up 194 million pounds. 2026 beef production was estimated at 25.792 billion pounds, up 335 million pounds. Most of the increase in production is due to increases in slaughter weights.
Buying returned to the cattle market midweek. Live cattle started the session steady to firm while feeder cattle opened the session steady to lower. Early pressure spilled over from Tuesday’s disappointing performance. Cattle were able to shake off the selling pressure and push higher with support coming from expectations for a strong cash trade. Technical buying was also evident as cattle make their way to test gaps left in the market from late Oct. Gains were kept in check by import concerns as USDA increased beef imports substantially in their Dec Crop Production report. For 2026 USDA increased beef imports 500 million pounds to 5.45 billion.
Cattle gapped higher and never really looked back Thursday as most months traded with strong gains throughout the day. Support came from a strong cash market with bids taking place up $6 to $8. A weak US dollar and strong stock market added support. Technically cattle traded through their 50% retracement level of the recent high and recent low. The next level of resistance sits above the gap that was formed around Oct 23-24. USDA’s export sales report for the week of Nov 13 estimated beef exports at 3.863 MT. The CME cash feeder cattle index decreased 47 cents to now be at $344.03.
For the week, Dec live cattle closed at $229.80 up $2.65. Jan feeder cattle closed at $339.10 up 5 cents.