Have you felt the uneasiness throughout the marketplace lately? Well, if you have but haven't been able to pinpoint why the market is trading in such a haphazard nature, this column is for you.

One would logically think that after seeing last week's fed cash cattle market rally $7 in the North and $1 in the South to reach new all-time highs, the market would be rallying on those achieved victories alone and chomping at the bit to see what else it can accomplish in this window where supplies are tight and consumer demand is incredible.

And while those facts all remain true, there's some level of uneasiness floating throughout the marketplace that seems to have stolen some of the bullish vigor that should be driving the complex even higher. Largely, those two points of uneasiness stem from the uncertainty of whether or not a strike will happen at the JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colorado, and from the fact that the futures complex is nearing resistance pressure.

Tuesday afternoon, the market saw a huge jump in boxed beef prices as some retailers are hedging for themselves in case a strike does indeed occur. Also, on Tuesday afternoon, choice cuts rallied $8.21 ($377.43) and select cuts rallied $1.70 ($366.01). Typically, the market endures a demand-lull in February and through March until grilling season comes around and helps drive beef prices higher. But obviously this year is different, as limited supplies have already inflated prices and the lingering possibility of a plant strike has now also affected boxed beef prices, as evidenced by Tuesday's price swing. For the sake of clarity, it's worth noting that two years ago, choice cuts closed at $300.61 on Feb. 23, 2024, (down $76.82 from current prices), and a year ago, on Feb. 24, 2025, choice cuts closed at $313.73 (down $63.70 from current prices).

And the second reason the market is trading in a somewhat skeptical, hazardous nature is because it's nearing resistance pressure. The spot April contract closed at $239.10 on Tuesday (Feb. 24, 2026) afternoon, and that's only $11.15 from the market's high established back in October before the severe selloff took place. I'm not insinuating the market "can't" or "won't" trade higher, as it certainly can; but traders aren't likely going to move the futures complex higher on their own accord. In order to see any more of a sizeable advancement in the futures complex, first the market is going to need to see higher trade in the cash complex, as traders are going to need to see all the fundamental support they can possibly muster.

So, if you've been frustrated to see some of the recent weakness in the futures, know it's likely because of the two reasons noted: the market's uncertainty about whether or not a plant strike will happen at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colorado, and because the futures complex is nearing resistance levels. Unfortunately, time will just have to play out before we know what's happening in Colorado, and traders will continue to need fundamental support moving forward -- it's that plain and simple.

ShayLe Stewart can be reached at ShayLe.Stewart@dtn.com

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