All current beef pricing trends are based on USDA data as of October 14, 2026. Last week’s trends refer to the USDA market for the week ending October 7, 2026.
Live cattle sold between $2.20 - $2.26/lb. last week, which was slightly higher compared to the previous week. Live cattle are expected to hold steady this week and next week, according to analysts.
Last week’s total cattle slaughter was estimated at 531K head, which was down from the previous week, but still above recent prior week’s levels. Analysts expect harvest levels to steady somewhat and remain within more normal seasonal ranges of 525K-530K head through the end of Q4.
For grading the week ending October 3, 88.7% of cattle graded as Choice or higher, and 9.4% graded as Select, with the remaining 1.9% being Ungraded. This is the same as last week, as grading wasn’t reported this Monday, due to the holiday.
Analysts report that the cutout values slipped lower last week, with lower trade levels for Choice grades. Analysts expect the overall Choice cutout value to decline slightly in the weeks ahead, as harvest levels remain steady or increase, and cash cattle pricing remains steady.
Grinds
Ground Chuck 
Ground Chuck traded lower last week, but has rebounded this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect the Ground Chuck market to show weakness through Q4.
Ground Beef 81/19
81/19 Ground Beef increased slightly last week, and that same trend has continued this week through three days of trading. Analysts still expect some weakness in this market through the balance of Q4.
Ground Beef 73/27 
73/27 Ground Beef fell last week, but has rebounded this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect this market to continue climbing going through Q4.
Rounds
Peeled Knuckles 
Choice Peeled Knuckles traded lower last week, but have rebounded this week through three days of trading. Select Peeled Knuckles also moved lower last week, and have also rebounded this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect all grades of knuckles to move higher in the weeks ahead.
Inside Rounds
The Inside Rounds market declined last week, but has increased this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect the market to be choppy through the rest of October before moving higher.
Bottom Round Flats
The Bottom Round Flats market fell last week. This week, the market has been mixed, with Choice grade moving lower and Select grade moving slightly higher through three days of trading. Analysts expect the market to be mixed in the weeks ahead.
Eyes of Round
The Eyes of Round market decreased last week. This week, Choice grade has moved higher, while Select grade has continued lower through three days of trading. Analysts forecast weakness through the end of October, before the market rebounds in the beginning of November.
Loins
Strips
The Strip Loin market slipped lower last week. This week, the market has been mixed, with Choice grade increasing and Select grade continuing lower through three days of trading. Analysts believe the market could weaken through Q4.
Top Butts
The Top Sirloins market was mixed last week, with Choice grade moving higher, while Select grade had very few trades reported. This week, Choice grade has declined through three days of trading, while Select grade has risen on only a few trades. Analysts believe the market will be steady to slightly lower in the short term.
Tenderloins
Tenderloins moved down last week, with Choice falling significantly. This week, all grades have rebounded higher through three days of trading. Analysts expect the market to move steadily higher through the holidays.
Ribs
Ribeyes
The Ribeye market had very mixed results last week, as Choice heavy, Select heavy and Select light ribeyes fell, while Choice light ribeyes moved higher. This week, the market has continued to be mixed, with Choice heavies continuing lower while Choice lights, Select heavies and Select lights have climbed through three days of trading. Analysts believe the market could continue to be mixed in the short term.
Chucks
Chuck Rolls
The Chuck Roll market was mixed last week, as Choice grade declined while Select grade moved higher, and that same trend has continued this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect weakness ahead in the chuck roll market.
Teres Majors
The Teres Majors market traded lower last week. This week, Choice grade has rebounded higher through three days of trading, while Select grade has yet to trade. Analysts anticipate that the market will trade sideways to lower in the short term.
Briskets
All grades of Briskets traded lower last week, but have pivoted higher this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect both grades to find strength in the weeks ahead.
Thin Meats
Ball Tips
The Ball Tips market was mixed last week, with Choice grade continuing higher and Select grade pivoting lower, and that same trend has continued this week through three days of trading. Longer-term forecasts point to significant weakness ahead, but analysts note that current overall tight supplies could counteract those forecasts.
Flap Meat
The Flap Meat market was mixed last week, as Choice grade traded higher while Select grade fell. This week, all grades have declined through three days of trading. Analysts expect the market to find some short-term strength before retreating in late Q4.
Flank Steak
The Flank Steak market moved higher last week. This week, Choice grade has declined through three days of trading, while Select grade has yet to trade. Analysts expect weakness in this market in the short term before it pivots higher in late October.
Skirt Steak
Both the Outside Skirts fat-on and Peeled Outside Skirts markets moved lower last week, and have continued to fall this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect these markets to be mixed in the weeks ahead.
The data contained in the Farmer’s Report is provided for informational purposes only, is not tailored to your specific purchasing needs, and is not intended as a substitute for any other publicly-available market data or information. The Farmer’s Report is compiled from the last-received market data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and/or other market sources, and is subject to change without notice. Nothing herein is the opinion of US Foods®. US Foods neither assumes any legal liability nor makes any warranty or guaranty, either express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy or usefulness of this information.