The cattle economy has seen a strong few weeks in the market. Western Livestock Auction, which has been in business for three decades, says they’ve never seen as many cattle as they did last week at the Oklahoma National Stockyards – and yet prices remain strong. This puts producers in a bit of a tricky situation, as they weigh the cost-benefits of holding onto cattle or selling them.
And those green pastures are prevalent across a large portion of the country: the latest USDA crop progress report rated national pastures at 46 percent good-to-excellent.
Related Stories
Herd rebuilding looks slow, keeping cattle prices supported; beef-on-dairy crosses help fill feedlots, while imports temper—but don’t erase—tightness.
“We believe that it is just a matter of days or weeks... before we see New World screwworm in Texas.”
USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report for his analysis on the U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, which includes big bucks for U.S. Beef.
Fewer cattle on feed suggest smaller slaughter numbers this winter, which could support strong prices if beef demand holds firm.
Dairy farmers are expected to face strong output and export gains, but lower prices and tighter margins will persist into next year.
RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the state of agribusiness and harvest progress across each region of the United States for the week of Monday, September 22, 2025.
With the latest detection just across the border, animal health officials on both sides are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak before it spreads further north.
The USDA NASS report also confirms lower August placements.