After a wild week of massive price moves, cattle finished Friday sharply higher. December live cattle futures neared $1.28 per pound this week, the highest level since mid-June.
Prices are surging as investors flood into the market, which is forcing beef buyers to pay up for cattle.
Beef is also being supported by expensive pork prices as lean hog futures reached a three-month high this week.
Despite the big rally, market watchers are warning that the underlying demand for beef may not keep pace with the cattle prices, which could force a quick turnaround soon.