E223: Cattle Market Forecast 2025

DTN’s 2024 Virtual Ag Summit is officially a wrap, and as is the case every year, a highlight of the event was the trio of forecasts on weather, grain markets, and livestock markets from DTN Progressive Farmer’s industry-leading analysts. Today we’re dropping on the cattle markets forecast with DTN’s Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart. She’ll look back on the 2024 season, reflecting on the highs and lows that kept cattlemen on their toes, and talk about the macro and micro conditions that made this year a record setting one for cattle and beef prices. Then, she’ll tie together the current state of the market, the latest weather and feed outlooks, and provide a first look at what might be in store for producers in 2025. She’ll talk through the feed complex, dive into the demand picture, and offer insight on the state of the US herd build-back. Then, she’ll walk us through how everyone from cattlemen to feeders to packers might be preparing for the challenges and opportunities in the year ahead, and what wild cards still remain that could mean a change in trend for a historically strong marketplace.