Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 12-2-2025

In this Tuesday Market Check, Brock and Jim break down a pivotal start to December as cash prices, forecasts, and futures drift in different directions. Light steer prices remain strong at $365/cwt, but national forecasts slide lower over the next month—raising real questions about whether to hold calves through the holidays or secure value now. Meanwhile, Live and Feeder futures are softening, boxed beef is steady, and broader economic pressures are tugging at a market that seems a little twitchy.

The guys dive into regional packer shifts, Tyson’s operational updates, and what changing slaughter capacity could mean for basis, show lists, and early-week bidding. They also zoom out to global trends: tightening worldwide beef production, Australia’s rising grain-fed export footprint, and why U.S. producers tied to premium programs may need to sharpen logistics if they want to hold their edge overseas.

If you’re marketing calves, weighing hedges, watching futures, or just trying to keep hay coming and risk in check, this episode has the numbers, context, and straight talk to help you stay sharp in a volatile market.

Topics Today:

• Cash vs futures divergence and 4-week forecast trends
• Live & Feeder futures reaction post-Thanksgiving
• Regional show list pressure and packer strategy shifts
• Tyson operational updates and kill-capacity signals
• Global beef output declines for 2025
• Australia’s export momentum and Asian demand
• Practical marketing strategy for feeders, calves, and hedging

Clear data. Real ranch experience. And a reminder not to let the board scare you out of a good cash trade.