All current beef pricing trends are based on USDA data as of November 4, 2026. Last week’s trends refer to the USDA market for the week ending October 30, 2026.
Live cattle sold between $2.25 - $2.28/lb. last week, trading fairly steady compared to the previous week. Live cattle are expected to hold steady in this range this week and next week, according to analysts.
Last week’s total cattle slaughter was estimated at 543K head, which was slightly lower than the previous week. Analysts expect harvest levels to remain within a seasonal range of 525K-530K head through the end of Q4.
For grading the week ending October 18, 88.0% of cattle graded as Choice or higher and 9.1% graded as Select, with the remaining 2.9% being Ungraded.
Analysts report that the cutout values slipped lower last week, with lower trade levels for both Choice and Select grades. Analysts expect the overall cutout value to continue lower going into mid-December before moving collectively higher.
Grinds
Ground Chuck 
Ground Chuck moved lower last week, and has continued to decline this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect the Ground Chuck market to rebound going into the Thanksgiving Holiday for a short-lived bump higher.
Ground Beef 81/19
81/19 Ground Beef moved lower last week, and has continued to fall this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect this market to rebound through the end of Q4.
Ground Beef 73/27 
73/27 Ground Beef traded higher last week, and has continued to climb this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect this market to continue increasing through the end of Q4.
Rounds
Peeled Knuckles 
All grades of Peeled Knuckles fell last week, but have rebounded this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect weakness in all grades of knuckles going into the back of Q4.
Inside Rounds
Choice Inside Rounds traded higher last week, while Select grade fell. This week, Choice grade has declined slightly, while Select grade has continued to decline through three days of trading. Analysts expect all grades of Inside Rounds to weaken further in the near term before rebounding in mid-December.
Bottom Round Flats
The Bottom Round Flats market declined last week. This week, Choice grade has continued to fall, while Select grade has moved higher through three days of trading. Analysts expect all grades of Bottom Round Flats to weaken further in the near term before rebounding in mid-December.
Eyes of Round
The Eyes of Round market was mixed again last week, as Choice grade fell while Select grade moved higher. This week, all grades have declined through three days of trading. Analysts forecast this market to strengthen in the weeks ahead.
Loins
Strips
The Strip Loin market was mixed again last week, with Choice grade falling and Select grade trading higher. This week, all grades have moved lower through three days of trading. Analysts believe this market is vulnerable as seasonal demand kicks in, and that it could weaken moderately through Q4.
Top Butts
The Top Sirloin market was mixed last week, with Choice grade moving higher, while Select grade fell. This week, Choice grade has continued to rise slightly, while Select grade has continued to fall slightly on very limited trading through three days. Analysts believe the market could weaken moderately through Q4.
Tenderloins
The Tenderloins market moved higher last week, and has continued climbing this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect the market to move steadily higher through the holidays.
Ribs
Ribeyes
The Ribeye market was mixed last week, with all grades increasing except Choice light ribeyes. This week, the market has remained mixed, as Choice grade has increased and Select grade has declined through three days of trading. Analysts believe the market will continue to be mixed going into the holidays, with a bias towards declining.
Chucks
Chuck Rolls
The Chuck Roll market remained mixed last week, as Choice grade moved lower while Select grade increased, 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 moved lower last week. This week, the market has been mixed, as Choice grade has continued to decline, while Select grade has rebounded through three days of trading. Analysts anticipate that the market will continue to fall in the weeks ahead.
Briskets
All grades of Briskets moved lower last week, and that same trend has continued this week through three days of trading. Analysts expect all grades to find strength in the weeks ahead.
Thin Meats
Ball Tips
The Ball Tips market was mixed last week, as Choice grade fell while Select grade traded higher. This week, the market has declined 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, with Choice trading higher and Select grade declining. This week, the market has remained mixed, but with Choice grade trading lower and Select grade moving higher 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 was mixed last week, with Choice grade declining while Select grade traded higher. This week, the market has moved lower through three days of trading. Analysts expect this market to be mixed, with short-term weakness before a late Q4 rebound.
Skirt Steak
Fat On Outside Skirts moved higher last week, while Peeled Outside Skirt traded lower. This week, both markets have increased 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.