Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael


Cattle Current Podcast—Dec. 16, 2025

December 15, 2025

Cattle futures closed mostly higher Monday with follow-through support from last week’s higher cash prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 56¢ higher (30¢ to $1.12 higher). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 43¢ higher, except for an average of 64¢ lower in the back two contracts.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $5 higher in Kansas at $230/cwt., $5 higher in Nebraska at $225-$230, and $5-$10 higher in the western Corn Belt at $225-$230. Dressed delivered prices in Nebraska were mostly $10-$15 higher at mainly $355 and $10 higher in the western Corn Belt at $350-$355 in a light test.

There was no reported established trade in the Texas Panhandle last week.

Last week’s five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price was $6.98 higher at $228.19. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $11.01 higher at $353.62.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.02 higher Monday afternoon at $359.46/cwt. Select was $3.08 higher at $347.30.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed Monday.

Through mid-afternoon, Corn futures were 1¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat futures were 6¢ lower. Soybean futures were 1¢ to 4¢ lower.