#43 Jan 29, 26

Weekly Cattle Market Update: Weather, Feeders & What the CME Index Is Telling Us

This week on the We Live It Podcast, Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry kick off a new Weekly Cattle Market Update format with a timely look at what’s shaping the cattle markets right now.

With winter weather shutting down sale barns across the South, the guys break down how light cash trade is impacting the CME Feeder Cattle Index, January contract settlement, and what that means heading into February. They also unpack last week’s Cattle on Feed report, regional supply differences, grain prices, and why feeder cattle remain historically strong despite choppy day-to-day moves.

Short, practical, and straight from the field. This is a market check you can actually use.

📌 Topics covered:
• CME Feeder Cattle Index & January settlement
• Weather disruptions across Texas & Oklahoma
• Cattle on Feed report takeaways
• Northern vs. Southern supply differences
• Grain prices, feed costs & market sensitivity

Have questions or want us to cover a specific topic next week? Drop them in the comments.

00:00 Introduction & New Weekly Market Update Format
00:50 Denver Trip Recap & Weather Challenges
02:45 Winter Storms Impacting Sale Barns
03:35 Lack of Cash Trade in the South
04:00 How Southern Closures Affect the CME Feeder Cattle Index
05:45 January CME Feeder Cattle Contract Settlement
06:40 Cattle on Feed Report Overview
07:30 Placements, Marketings & What the Numbers Really Mean
09:15 Regional Differences: Northern vs Southern Cattle Supplies
10:10 Market Sensitivity to Slaughter Levels
10:55 Outside Markets: Grains, Feed Costs & Commodities
12:00 Feeder Cattle Strength & Near-Term Outlook
12:45 Upcoming Purebred Sales & Closing Remarks

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Ty deCordova

Ty DeCordova is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience in cattle marketing. He spent 20 years at Superior Livestock Auction, including his final years managing the Country Page as well as the block during video auctions. This allowed Ty to develop a deep understanding of the cattle industry's operations and build relationships with cattle buyers on a national level. Ty now oversees all operational aspects of the business, ensuring efficiency and excellence across all areas. Ty comes from a family with a long-standing history in the cattle industry. Growing up in Groesbeck, Texas, he and his brother started their own cattle business during their teenage years, purchasing and selling loads of steers. By the age of 17, Ty was actively involved in buying cattle at sale barns for his father, gaining hands-on experience. This early exposure to the sale-barn environment shaped his lifelong passion and expertise in cattle marketing. Ty continues to run cattle today and is committed to serving the agriculture industry.

Guest

Casey Mabry

Casey comes to Blue Reef following over a decade-long career with Cargill. Casey’s career in the industry started as a cattle buyer in Western Nebraska and Wyoming for six years. Casey then moved to Wichita, KS where he worked in boxed beef pricing with a focus on understanding out front prices and position optimization. Casey then took to cattle procurement as a Strategic Supply Manager where he focused on cattle formula and grid marketing arrangements working with Cargill’s largest suppliers. Casey’s experience in cash and value based marketing of cattle can be a valuable asset to your operation. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University where he served on the Meats Judging team, and a Masters from Tarleton State University where he coached the Meats Judging team. Casey resides in Brock, TX with his wife Deidrea and daughters Reyse, Avery, and Brooklyn.

Producer

Katy Holdener

Katy Holdener's journey in agricultural communications began on her family's row crop farm in California's Central Valley, where she developed a deep appreciation for the industry. After earning a degree in Agricultural Communications and Economics from Oklahoma State University, Katy has been fortunate to work with respected organizations such as the American Hereford Association, American Angus Association, Superior Livestock Auction and BioZyme, Inc. These experiences have provided her with valuable insights into seedstock and commercial livestock marketing. Katy strives to create effective marketing strategies that support the company and its consignors.