MONDAY, MAY 19

Compared to last week, steers and heifers sold steady to 5.00 higher. Demand was mostly good to very good early week and still remained good later in the week even though futures took a tumble. The CME Cattle Complex took a sharp downturn mid-week after a sharp upturn on Monday. This pullback comes after weeks of strong gains fueled by tight supply and very good demand. It seems that fundamentals are ruling the day in the fed cattle sector as the nearby Live cattle contract was 18.00 under the cash. Something will have to give in the coming few weeks. The correction this week did seem harsh to the downside, however the weekly trend on the Live Cattle contracts were from 2.450 to 2.975 lower. The Feeder Cattle contracts were mostly 2.750 to 3.100 lower. The market watcher felt like they had been whipsawed this week from one extreme to the other. Cattle producers are feeling very optimistic about the market for the remainder of the year and want to make sure they have cattle in their pens. More areas of the High Plains find themselves embroiled in another year of limited moisture in the first quarter of this year. However, over this coming week, some much needed moisture is forecasted, and farmers are hoping for a good start to the growing season. Over 55 pct of the country currently has some type of drought designation. Negotiated sales of fed cattle in Kansas sold steady to 2.00 higher at 220.00. In TX/OK/NM, live sales sold mostly 1.00 higher at 218.00 to mostly 220.00. In Nebraska, live sales were 1.00 to 4.00 higher at 229.00, while dressed sales sold mostly 3.00 higher at 358.00. For the week, Choice Boxed beef closed on Friday at 352.49, 6.52 higher and Select closed at 342.39, 11.22 higher. Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 566K, 7K more than last week and 31K less than a year ago. Auction volume this week included 56 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 43 percent heifers. read more here

What Happens to the Cattle? Planning for Livestock in Your Estate

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Your cattle might be one of your most valuable assets—but are they in your estate plan?

Too often, livestock is overlooked. But cattle are living, depreciating, and need daily care. If something happens to you, who knows what you own, what’s been sold, or where to find the records?

Start with an inventory: head count, pasture locations, registration papers, and any breeding contracts. Keep this updated and easy to find.

Next, decide who inherits the herd. You can do this through a will, trust, or business entity like an LLC. If multiple heirs are involved, think about whether they’ll co-own the cattle—or whether it’s better to sell and divide the proceeds.

If you run a registered or specialty herd, your planning should also include genetic information, breeding schedules, and key contacts (like your AI tech). A smooth transition keeps the operation—and your legacy—on track.

Don’t let your cattle become an afterthought. Plan now, and leave a clear trail for the next generation to follow.