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The need to move cattle in the northern market remains a key factor, with weights running heavy and offers continuing to decline. This week on Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses the fundamentals influencing cattle movement and the leverage building in the market. As some begin to wonder whether the lows are close to being established, Kooima offers a cautionary reminder: don’t get caught making the same mistake many did in 2015.

Cash cattle trade ended last week in a standoff, and that uncertainty has carried into this week’s market. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses the latest developments, including increased cattle availability and what it means for packers and feedlots. Kooima notes that while more cattle are showing up this week, the added supplies could put packers closer to making their next move in the cash market. With cattle futures looking significantly overbought, the market may be vulnerable to a pullback. He also points to northern cattle that are not current and signs of growing heifer retention, as highlighted in last Friday’s Cattle on Feed report. There is some encouraging news for cattle producers in the Southern Plains, where recent heavy rains across the wheat belt could improve fall grazing conditions and provide a boost to pastures. Kooima breaks down what these developments could mean for cash trade and where the cattle market may head next.

Will the cash market wait until after Friday’s Cattle on Feed report, or will stronger prices show up this week? On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down tighter supplies, heavier cattle, heifer retention and stronger sale barn prices. He also answers viewer questions about President Trump’s executive orders aimed at supporting American ranchers and improving transparency in livestock markets. Plus, what role could NASDAQ play in the future of cattle futures trading? 📈 Cash cattle, market transparency and the future of cattle trading — tune in for Brad’s take!

Southern cash cattle trade saw some early movement this week, but numbers remained light. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses the potential for stronger cash movement as cattle supplies tighten in the South while heavier cattle remain in the North. Moving more Iowa and Nebraska cattle into southern feeding and processing regions, including Kansas and Texas, could become an important factor. However, concerns remain about the lack of competition in the cash market. With fundamentals still uncertain, Kooima also looks at whether the cattle market could be setting up for a technical breakout.

Is the cattle market setting up for a period of sideways trade? On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek takes a closer look at the fundamentals and explains why he’s not particularly friendly toward the market right now. He discusses what happens when slaughter numbers increase and boxed beef prices struggle to sustain current levels, along with what he’s seeing in Iowa and the latest trends in national average carcass weights. Pasture conditions remain a concern for producers, and viewers are also asking about the growing role of beef-on-dairy cattle. Could that changing supply mix eventually alter what has traditionally been considered the price structure for fed cattle? Brad tackles those questions and more in this week’s Cattle Chatter.

The cattle market is facing a daily conundrum as traders weigh the potential for another rally against growing concerns about the market's underlying fundamentals. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek looks at why the market continues to want to push higher, while he remains hesitant to turn fully bullish. Kooima examines the market's lack of currentness compared with previous years, along with the movement of northern cattle from Nebraska into Texas. That shift in cattle flows is something he says deserves close attention as the market moves forward. Weather is also becoming a factor, with excessive rain creating muddy conditions that can add stress to cattle and affect performance. Meanwhile, the futures spread is sending an interesting signal. December cattle are trading above October, creating an incentive to keep cattle on feed rather than market them sooner. With cattle movement, weather and the futures structure all pulling the market in different directions, Kooima explains why there are reasons for the market to rally—but also plenty keeping him from getting fully bullish.

The cattle market has been all over the board this week, but as the week winds down, the trade has taken on a bit of a blah feel—much like the rainy Midwest weather. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Joe Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the biggest questions facing the market: Where’s the cash? Some bids are on the table in the North, but the South remains quiet. Beef export talk: Discussion surrounding a possible beef export ban quickly met pushback, adding another headline for the market to digest. Technical trade: Joe takes an in-depth look at this week’s technical moves and what the charts are telling cattle traders. The market is waiting on cash, watching the headlines and looking for direction. Will cattle find enough support to push back into the green—or does the blah feeling continue?

Cattle can’t hold the green, and the board continues to struggle to attract bids as the market receives mixed signals. Is money flow adding to the pressure? Are livestock fundamentals shifting? And how much weight should traders put on the latest headlines? The market already knew another facility was expected to open on the Mexican border—this time in New Mexico. So what else is driving the weakness? As hard as it is, producers may want to avoid getting pulled into every social media post or speculation ahead of Friday’s announcements from Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, trade negotiations with Canada and the EU continue. Could developments there have an impact on U.S. cattle exports and demand? 🐄 Lots of questions. Lots of moving pieces. And cattle are still looking for a bid.

These are some of the best-looking cattle charts we’ve seen in a while. After some solid movement on Day 3 of the Goldman Sachs roll and last week’s Saturday cattle buying, there’s plenty to watch in the market. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the charts and shares what he’s telling customers right now. He also looks at the jump in crude oil and what higher fuel costs could mean for transportation costs to and from the sale barn. Plus, Brad weighs in on how he’s interpreting the latest headlines—and what they could mean for cattle markets. And we’re taking your questions, including heifer retention and current wholesale beef prices.

The cattle market staged a positive correction Thursday, posting a solid jump and strong close. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the nearly $7 jump in feeder cattle and how an overbought corn market helped give cattle some support. Meanwhile, USDA headlines continue to create plenty of questions. An announcement on beef labeling is expected by the end of the week, while reports suggest Congress is considering a government loan program to help producers with herd retention. That follows earlier talk of a heifer retention program, leaving many producers with more questions than answers about what these programs could ultimately mean for the cattle industry. Brad also takes a closer look at the wholesale beef market, comparing this past Tuesday’s prices with the same period last year. The difference is striking—nearly 25%. 📈 Cattle bounced. Feeders jumped. Policy headlines are building. So, is the cattle market finally starting to turn the corner? 🎙️ Brad Kooima breaks it all down on this week’s Cattle Chatter.

Specialty buying, short covering and some bargain hunting are adding another layer to this week’s cattle trade. But the big surprise came in the cash market, as the North blinked first while the South continues to hold out. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down why it was so unusual to see Northern cattle trade ahead of the Southern market and what that could mean for cattle producers. Brad also looks at plant closures, including Joslin, and how changes in processing capacity can work their way back into the cash cattle market. We also take a look at the border reopening this week, comparing cattle and futures prices from May 11, 2025, with where the market stands this week. And with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announcing that officials are looking at Nogales as another potential crossing point, the border story continues to be one cattle producers are watching closely. What does all of this mean for cash cattle and the leverage of the cattleman? Tune in to this week’s Cattle Chatter!

Are we not killing enough cattle—and are producers starting to lose their leverage? On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down a cattle market full of moving pieces. Tyson plants are going offline, Ft. Morgan is coming back online, and boxed beef is showing some movement. Meanwhile, the charts have been a wreck, the cash market is trying to firm, and Kansas has now joined Colorado and Texas in going "confidential" on USDA cash cattle reporting, citing thin trading volume. So, with all these pieces moving at once, what would make Brad feel good about this cattle market? 👉 You'll have to watch all the way to the end to find out! 🐄📈

Compared with the past couple of weeks, cattle slaughter numbers have been lower, raising questions about how quickly the market can work through available supplies. On this week's Cattle Chatter, brought to you by Zoetis, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the latest slaughter numbers while looking at the impact of extreme heat, dry pastures and an uptick in video cattle sales. Was last week's cash cattle trade actually cattle purchased for deferred delivery? Open interest has also posted more down days, adding another layer of uncertainty to the market. As Labor Day approaches, the focus turns to beef demand and boxed beef movement. How does the market get the boxes turned, and what will it take to keep product moving as we look beyond the holiday and into the fall?

Early cash trade in Kansas and Nebraska provided some initial strength to the cattle market, but the rally was short-lived as volatility continues to define the trade. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the ongoing volatility, including the lack of open interest and the challenges facing the market. He also discusses the uncertainty surrounding the Fort Morgan plant, dry pastures across parts of the West while other areas are finally receiving rain, and what those conditions could mean for cattle supplies. The scheduled reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border later this month is another factor traders are watching. But Kooima says producers shouldn't view the reopening as a quick fix. The flow of cattle coming across the border is expected to be more of a trickle than a flood, meaning the impact on overall U.S. cattle supplies will take time to develop.

News of the scheduled border reopening weighed heavily on the cattle market early in the week, contributing to Monday's sharp selloff. By midweek, however, much of that information had been absorbed by the market, allowing cattle futures to recover and post gains. The question now is whether softer cash prices will ultimately dictate the market's direction and pull futures lower. Direct cash cattle trade across the Plains remained quiet, with no established packer bids or feedlot asking prices early in the day. While buying interest is expected to increase as the week progresses, it remains uncertain whether meaningful trade will develop before Friday. On this week's Cattle Chatter, Joe Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the wave of market-moving data released late last week and discusses whether boxed beef values have begun to stabilize. He also examines whether retailers are starting to procure beef ahead of Labor Day demand and shares his long-term concerns about the lingering effects of last week's extreme heat on feedlot performance and cattle health.