Cattle Market Guys - Tuesday Check In 3-17-2026

Breaking news from the Texas Panhandle as a new respiratory pathogen threatens feedlot operations across the region. This emerging health challenge poses significant risks to cattle performance and profitability, with producers scrambling to update vaccination protocols and management strategies. The timing couldn't be worse, as the industry simultaneously grapples with major processing disruptions, including a worker strike at the crucial JBS Greeley facility.In this packed episode of Cattle Market Guys, hosts Brock and Jim dive deep into three critical issues shaping the cattle markets this week. The discussion begins with a comprehensive market update, revealing a cooling trend in cattle prices across weight classes, with 600-649 pound steers closing at $413.13/cwt, down from previous weeks but with promising four-week forecasts.The conversation then turns to the emerging health crisis in Texas feedlots, drawing on Jim's historical perspective from similar outbreaks in the 1990s. Brock and Jim examine prevention strategies, diagnostic approaches, and the potential economic impact on operations caught unprepared. The hosts emphasize the critical importance of proactive management and updated protocols in managing this new threat.The episode concludes with an analysis of the processing sector's challenges and opportunities, including the ongoing JBS Greeley strike's impact on the supply chain. Despite these hurdles, there's positive news on the export front, with variety meat exports hitting record values exceeding $415 per head of fed slaughter. The hosts explore how these various factors interact to influence market dynamics and what producers should watch for in the coming weeks.