Cattle Prices: What's Going On?

Cattle prices have been a hot topic lately. From 2021 to 2024, producers had a strong hold on the market. This was partly due to a lot of money being printed and some dry weather. Things got even tighter in 2025 when the government stepped in, closing the Mexican border and adding big taxes on imported beef. Now, the government is trying to ease up on these measures. If they do, prices might drop back to where they were before the intervention. That could mean feeder cattle prices around $241. 00, according to the CME feeder cattle index. But don't expect this to happen overnight. It might take until next year to see these levels. The market is still pretty unpredictable. The Trump administration's actions add to the uncertainty. Without a clear cash index for fat cattle prices, experts use the weekly continuation chart. They believe fat cattle prices could also drop to around $182. 00, similar to feeder cattle. Input costs are not helping. Diesel fuel prices shot up recently, adding $0. 40 to $0. 45 per gallon in just three weeks. Corn prices surprised everyone by rising, and soybeans keep climbing. Even wheat is looking up, with experts suggesting it might be a good time to buy. Interest rates remain high and stagnant. The Trump administration's attempts to stimulate the economy aren't doing much to lower these rates. High inflation is a concern, and it might get worse early next year. Holiday spending could make things tougher for consumers, especially with rising credit card delinquencies.