Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 2-13-2026

Market volatility takes center stage as lightweight steer prices dip $5 to $450.24/cwt while futures swing dramatically. The April live cattle contract bounced within a $10 range this week, creating what hosts call "market-on-a-trampoline territory." With tight cattle inventories driving aggressive buying and cash prices holding firm in the South at $242-245, producers face tough decisions in an increasingly unpredictable market environment.In this week's comprehensive market review, Brock and Jim analyze the complex factors driving current cattle market conditions. The hosts break down price movements across weight classes, examine futures contract behavior, and discuss strategies for producers navigating the volatile trading environment. Their analysis includes detailed price comparisons with early January figures and forecasted trends for the coming weeks.The episode explores major industry developments, including Cargill's announcement to close its Milwaukee meat processing facility and Brazil's significant expansion in feedlot operations. The hosts examine how these changes could impact U.S. producers and discuss the broader implications of industry consolidation. Special attention is paid to Brazil's growing competitiveness in global markets and its potential effect on U.S. export opportunities.International trade developments take the spotlight as the hosts analyze Brazil's potential implementation of export quotas to China and JBS's strategic expansion into the Middle East. Brock and Jim evaluate how these moves could reshape global beef trade flows and create both challenges and opportunities for U.S. producers in key export markets.