Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael


Cattle Current Podcast—Dec. 15, 2025

December 14, 2025

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, based on the latest established trade, FOB live prices were $230/cwt., which was $5 higher in Kansas, $5-$10 higher in Nebraska, and $10 higher in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices in Nebraska were $10-$15 higher at $355.

Dressed delivered prices in the western Corn Belt the previous week were $340-$345. Two weeks earlier, FOB live prices in the Texas Panhandle were $215-$220.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 67¢ lower Friday afternoon at $357.44/cwt. Select was 76¢ higher at $344.22.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 596,000 head was 4,000 head fewer than the previous week and 14,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated total year-to-date cattle slaughter of 27.9 million head was 2.1 million head fewer (-6.9%). Year-to-date estimated beef production of 24.4 billion pounds was 1.1 billion pounds less (-4.2%) than the same time last year.

Cattle futures settled lower Friday on likely profit taking and week-end positioning.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.28 lower.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.36 lower.

Soybean futures led the grain complex lower Friday, with lingering uncertainty over the trade deal with China. Soybean futures were 10¢ to 16¢ lower through Nov. ’26 and then 8¢ to 9¢ lower.

Corn futures were 2¢ to 5¢ lower through Jly ‘27. KC HRW Wheat futures were 3¢ lower through Jly ’27, after 16¢ lower in spot Dec.