Cattle Market Guys - Week Wrap Up 5-1-2026

Cattle futures have risen for five consecutive sessions amid growing concerns over the New World Screwworm outbreak, with emergency treatments now authorized by the FDA. The USDA has broken ground on a sterile fly facility in Texas as part of containment efforts, while expectations for reopening the US-Mexico border to cattle imports continue to fade. This health crisis is creating significant market volatility, with historical parallels suggesting producers should carefully time their marketing decisions during fear-driven price spikes. In this Week in Review episode, Brock and Jim analyze the complex factors driving current cattle market dynamics. They begin with a detailed market snapshot showing medium and large frame steers (600-649 lbs) trading at $415.51/cwt, while lighter cattle command significantly higher prices at $463.51/cwt. Their four-week forecast suggests potential softening for heavier cattle before a modest bounce in week four. The hosts dive deep into the screwworm situation, examining how emergency regulatory actions are impacting the market. Jim shares historical context from a 1992 outbreak, offering valuable perspective on how temporary price spikes during health scares can quickly reverse. The episode also explores the unusually narrow Choice-Select spread that recently inverted for the first time since 2009, signaling potential shifts in consumer behavior and feeding strategies. Border policies and international trade round out the discussion, with Brock and Jim examining how the continued border closure affects domestic feeder cattle supply. They connect global events, including rejected soybean meal shipments in Europe, to potential impacts on U.S. feed costs. The episode concludes with guidance for producers navigating this complex, news-driven market that features both promising fundamentals and significant risks heading into summer.