COLLEGE STATION, Texas (RFD-TV) — Cattle markets continue to face sharp swings as geopolitical tensions and the ongoing southern border closure weigh heavily on the livestock sector. Economists warn that the lack of cross-border trade is straining rural communities and feeder operations across the southern United States.
Texas A&M livestock economist Dr. David Anderson joined Tony St. James on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss the latest developments.
In their discussion on RFD-TV News, Anderson outlined the impact the closure is having on feeder cattle markets and the financial strain it is placing on farm families raising those animals. They also addressed the recent Cargill plant closure and its potential impact on market capacity and supply chain stability.
Looking further ahead, Anderson emphasized that if the current disruptions persist, their effects could ripple across the entire beef supply chain—from feedlots to processors, also noting the emotional challenges producers face when trading in such uncertain conditions, explaining how sentiment can influence decision-making and market behavior.
The Lexington shutdown pushes national slaughter capacity utilization nearer long-run averages, underscoring how tight cattle supplies are reshaping packer operations.
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