Market Talk

06/04/2026

The cattle market reacted swiftly to confirmation of New World screwworm in a three-week-old calf, but the initial selloff was short-lived. Futures traded lower for only a few minutes following the opening bell before reversing course, with feeder cattle eventually closing the session limit up.

On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses one of the fastest market selloffs and recoveries in recent memory, noting that much of the fear surrounding a screwworm confirmation had already been priced into the market. He also examines what an export containment and quarantine strategy could look like for Texas moving forward.

From a consumer standpoint, the reaction has been far different than past livestock-related events such as swine flu or the "pink slime" controversy. Kooima believes today's consumers have greater access to information and fact-checking through the internet, helping reduce some of the uncertainty and fear that accompanied previous industry challenges.

Supporting the market was another strong week in the cash cattle trade, which provided the momentum needed to push futures higher and helped offset concerns surrounding the screwworm news.

The cattle market reacted swiftly to confirmation of New World scre...

05/28/2026

There was plenty of macro influence in last week’s cattle trade. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek looks back at the major market movers and discusses how much of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report had already been factored into the trade.

The industry also saw strong beef movement over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, even though boxed beef values slipped lower on Thursday. Attention now turns to this week’s cash cattle trade, with prices still very much up for grabs.

Brad also answers a viewer question on why the cattle industry has been able to maintain leverage for such an extended period during this historic rally, compared to the sharp but shorter-lived run experienced during the 2014 cattle market.

There was plenty of macro influence in last week’s cattle trade. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek looks back at the majo...

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day as we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

05/22/2026

The week started with plenty of volatility in the grains and oilseeds while we ended the week with big losses in feeder cattle futures. We break it all down in conversations with Naomi Blohm, Scott Varilek and Brady Huck on today's show.

The week started with plenty of volatility in the grains and oilseeds while we ended the week with big losses in feeder cattle futures. Will this volatility stick around after Memorial Day? What seasonal windows should we

05/22/2026

Private exporters reported the following sales activities:

493,700 metric tons of corn for delivery to Mexico. Of the total, 225,000 metric tons is for delivery during the 2025/2026 marketing year, and 268,700 metric tons is for delivery during the 2026/2027 marketing year
110,000 metric tons of corn for delivery to unknown destinations. Of the total, 50,000 metric tons is for delivery during the 2025/2026 marketing year, and 60,000 metric tons is for delivery during the 2026/2027 marketing year
252,000 metric tons of soybean cake and meal for delivery to unknown destinations. Of the total, 117,000 metric tons is for delivery during the 2025/2026 marketing year, and 135,000 metric tons is for delivery during the 2026/2027 marketing year

05/21/2026

Those in the cattle industry have been aware for the past four weeks that the Cargill beef processing facility in Fort Morgan, Colorado, has been dark. However, news of a labor lockout grabbed the attention of trading algorithms this week, adding pressure to cattle futures despite the situation being well known within the industry.

On this week's Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek discusses the impact of the plant shutdown, the continued strength in the cash cattle market, and even the outside pressure created by President Trump's social media comments about addressing the nation's beef shortage.

Attention now turns to Friday afternoon's USDA Cattle on Feed report. There is a growing sense among traders that the report could set the tone for market direction when trading resumes Tuesday following the three-day holiday weekend.

Brad also answers a viewer question regarding the increase in the percentage of cattle grading as "4s" and whether that could be a sign the industry has fallen behind on marketings and, in turn, surrendered some of its leverage in the marketplace.

Those in the cattle industry have been aware for the past four week...

05/19/2026

Tuesday was a much quieter day in the markets as the grain trade was mixed to slightly lower on the session. After all of the US/China meeting volatility, will weather take center stage? Tyler Schau with AgMarket.net joins us to share perspective.

We also discuss the possibility of over-leveraging your farm in this down economy with Trent Klarenbach from the Klarenbach Grain Report.

Tuesday was a much quieter day in the markets as the grain trade was mixed to slightly lower on the session. After all of the US/China meeting volatility, will weather take center stage? Tyler Schau with AgMarket.net

05/18/2026

The grain markets shot higher to start the week as the White House released news on Sunday of reported agricultural purchase commitments made by China during last week's summit between Trump and Xi. We talk about it today with John Heinberg from Total Farm Marketing.

Mike Minor and Luke Wells with Professional Ag Marketing join us for livestock analysis and US/China perspective while we also talk weather with Eric Snodgrass from Nutrien Ag Solutions.

The grain markets shot higher to start the week as the White House released news on Sunday of reported agricultural purchase commitments made by China during last week’s summit between Trump and Xi. Does this news give

05/14/2026

Soybeans Fall HARD as US/China Summit Continues: Bryan Doherty with Total Farm Marketing joins us on today's show to discuss the down day in commodities and more as we near the end of the week.

Soybeans fell into some hard profit taking on Thursday as traders a...

05/14/2026

The cattle market is entering uncharted territory, with cash trade surging $7 higher in the North and $3 to $5 higher in the South, with some northern sales reported as high as $265. On this week’s Cattle Chatter, Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek breaks down the latest price movement and discusses the newly announced expanded trading limits. Effective June 1, Live Cattle limits will move to $8.50, while Feeder Cattle limits increase to $10.75.

Markets are also keeping a close eye on trade developments with China, including questions surrounding why nearly 400 packing licenses were approved and then later pulled back. At the same time, worsening drought conditions are prompting more cattle to move to market, though producers appear committed to holding onto their cow herds—signaling continued confidence in long-term fundamentals.

The cattle market is entering uncharted territory, with cash trade surging $7 higher in the North and $3 to $5 higher in the South, with some northern sales ...