Rabobank's latest quarterly beef report says volatility is challenging global markets.
While the bank's overall global beef index moved up a bit in the first quarter, analysts say it's showing signs of dropping again.
Softening prices in the U-S and Canada are battling strengthening prices in Australia and Brazil.
According to Rabobank, the combination of week-to-week price volatility and equal volatility in the futures market have made marketing decisions in the U-S difficult to impossible.
The report says the low value of the Brazilian currency, high domestic prices and slow economic conditions will continue to support increased beef exports from that country.
China's slowing economy is apparently affecting general beef consumption there.
Cattle supplies remain tight in Australia.
And Rabobank calls Europe the calm in a sea of global volatility.
The bank report says European beef prices are strengthening slightly, supported by steady exports.
