Episode Details

Protein Pulse Drive Time — Monday Market Open | October 26th, 2026

HOST: Protein Pulse Drive Time. Monday Market Open, October 26th. From The Sparks Group.

SHAWN: September cattle placements fell twelve percent, the lowest September number since 1996. That tightens the 2027 pipeline, but it doesn't make every beef cut worth chasing today. Avian influenza is hitting egg and turkey operations. Screwworm is raising new border questions. Neither headline tells you what's available on a truck this week, and neither gives packers automatic pricing power. Watch the actual restrictions, the product, and the delivery date. Price what your plant needs, not what the rumor says. Separate the noise from the inventory.

HOST: The Choice grade cutout closed at three sixty-five seventy-nine, down three sixty-eight. The Select grade gained two twenty-eight to three fifty-two sixty-nine. Fresh nineties at three eighty-seven F-O-B. Imported nineties near three oh eight F-C-A. Pork cutout at seventy-four oh nine, down one fourteen. Bellies down two forty-one. Chicken breast at one thirteen. Thighs at one seventy-five. West Texas Crude at one oh three twenty-seven. Corn at four fifty-six. Soybean meal at three forty-six ten.

SHAWN: USDA announced a five billion dollar processing-finance initiative with ninety percent loan guarantees up to one hundred seventy-five million. Lula won reelection in Brazil. Four new screwworm cases confirmed in Texas and New Mexico. Columbus is scheduled to reopen today. Brazil reported a second Newcastle outbreak. The commercial consequences will depend on what actually changes in financing, delivered offers and physical shipments. Stay disciplined.

HOST: Protein Pulse Drive Time. Shawn Sparks, The Sparks Group.

SHAWN: Stay disciplined.