Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Cattle Futures Fall as Screwworm Restrictions Lift and Tariffs Ease
Cattle prices went down in Tuesday trading.
Some livestock movement restrictions linked to screwworm were lifted in parts of Texas and New Mexico.
Traders also reacted to several developments that could increase beef supplies.
These included lower or waived beef tariffs and the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to feeder cattle.
An analyst said these changes gave investment funds fewer reasons to buy cattle futures.
President Donald Trump said beef tariff relief could help lower prices for shoppers.
The U.S. cattle industry criticized that plan.
The USDA said it would help the beef industry with loans and grazing opportunities.
CME live and feeder cattle futures turned lower as livestock movement restrictions were lifted in parts of Texas and New Mexico.
October live cattle settled down 0.60 cent at 212.075 cents per pound, while feeder cattle fell 1.625 cents to 315.40 cents.
Analysts cited tariff changes, weak boxed-beef prices and the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico feeder-cattle border as bearish factors.
President Donald Trump reportedly discussed reducing a 26% Brazilian beef tariff before announcing a temporary tariff easing; Reuters could not verify the report.
The USDA said it would support the beef industry through loans for small processors and grazing access on conserved land.
- Who
- CME cattle traders, U.S. cattle producers, President Donald Trump, the USDA and beef-industry officials were involved.
- What
- Live and feeder cattle futures declined as traders assessed lifted livestock restrictions, tariff changes and renewed feeder-cattle imports.
- When
- Tuesday, September 1; the article also references tariff discussions on August 20 and August 21.
- Where
- The futures were traded in Chicago; the movement restrictions affected parts of Texas and New Mexico, while tariff and border issues involved the United States, Brazil and Mexico.
- Why
- Traders viewed potential increases in beef supply, weak boxed-beef prices and the reopened U.S.-Mexico feeder-cattle border as bearish for cattle prices.
Beef Industry Concerns
Administration and Supply Arguments
Beef tariff relief
Beef Industry Concerns
The U.S. cattle industry widely condemned the proposed easing of beef tariffs, arguing that additional imports could pressure domestic cattle producers.
Administration and Supply Arguments
President Donald Trump said temporarily easing tariffs could help lower beef prices, and reportedly said ground beef imports could sell 25% below current prices.
Market outlook
Beef Industry Concerns
Analyst Austin Schroeder said cattle had little going for it from investment funds' perspective because of tariff changes, weak boxed-beef prices and renewed feeder-cattle imports.
Administration and Supply Arguments
The administration said it was taking steps to support the beef industry, including loans for small processors and grazing access on conserved land.
- October live cattle
- Settled 0.60 cent lower at 212.075 cents per pound.
- October feeder cattle
- Fell 1.625 cents to 315.40 cents per pound.
- Choice boxed beef
- USDA price was $378.02 per hundredweight, up $2.20 from the previous day.
- Select boxed beef
- USDA price was $360.66 per hundredweight, up $2.17.
- Brazilian beef tariff
- A 26% import tax was reportedly discussed before temporary tariff relief was announced.
- USDA support measures
- Loans for small meat processors and use of conserved land for grazing.
- Lean hogs
- The most actively traded October contract settled 0.025 cent lower at 83.65 cents per pound.