January typically brings cold weather, but it can also bring complications to the cattle market.
One trader says it is his least favorite month to trade but says the coming months could be ideal for producers.
“I see a lot of confidence, especially in this cash feeder market. I mean, these prices, there was about a five or six-week stretch that they just went straight up. I feel like we saw, maybe, some heifers getting held back earlier in this Fall, and then, as we’ve just climbed fast, it’s getting tougher to tougher to think, ‘Are we going to be able to rebuild this cowherd or not just with the sheer cost that it is?’ I mean, it’s like $2,000 heifer calf, and it’s going to cost, you know, my cowboy math says about $1,000 per year on that animal,” said Scott Varilek.
The January Cattle on Feed Report comes out later this month, which will give a better idea of the cattle herd.
Tim and Sharyn Abbott of the Music City Celebration Sale preview the weekend’s premier auction, drawing breeders to Nashville again this year.
December 12, 2025 04:27 PM
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CoBank’s 2026 Year Ahead Report cites global grain oversupply, easing inflation, rate cuts, and major data center growth that could reshape rural America.
December 12, 2025 12:42 PM
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Plan for sharp, short-term volatility after unexpected outages; permanent closures rarely trigger major price spread disruptions.
December 12, 2025 12:25 PM
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Strong Farm Credit finances help cushion producers, but prolonged low crop margins could strain renewals in 2026.
December 12, 2025 11:42 AM
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Rising beef supplies and lower cattle prices, weaker hog markets, and softening dairy prices will shape producer margins heading into 2026.
December 11, 2025 01:32 PM
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Outdated reporting thresholds reduce cash-market visibility and increase the urgency of comprehensive Mandatory Price Reporting reform.
December 10, 2025 07:00 PM
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