Chicago | Reuters — CME lean hog futures lifted on Wednesday, jumping to two-week highs on expectations that demand for market-ready hogs will perk up in the coming weeks, analysts said.
“There seems to be a lot of optimism in buying for after the first of the year,” said Matthew Wiegand, Risk Management Consultant at FuturesOne.
CME February lean hogs added 4.15 cents to end at 88.4 cents/lb., after climbing to 88.875 cents/lb., its highest since Dec. 6 (all figures US$).
The CME’s Lean Hog Index, a two-day weighted average of cash hog prices, gained two cents to $80.86/cwt.
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Hog slaughter rates dropped to 460,000 head on Wednesday, 30,000 fewer than the same day last week, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
CME live cattle futures also climbed on Wednesday, supported by declining cattle supplies and strong retail beef prices.
Cold temperatures expected throughout the U.S. Great Plains in the coming days could add to feed costs for producers as cattle feed for warmth.
“I think it’s going to hurt gains. Most of the guys I’ve talked to are prepared for it,” said Wiegand.
Beef slaughter is lagging this week, with 346,000 head processed through Wednesday, 17,000 behind the same period a year ago, USDA said.
Boxed beef prices were mostly firmer, with select cuts adding $2.39, to $236.29 per hundredweight, while choice cuts eased 19 cents to $264.86/cwt, USDA reported.
Benchmark CME February live cattle added 2.125 cents to end at 157.7 cents/lb., while the spot December live cattle contract gained 1.075 cents to 156.125 cents/lb.
Feeder cattle futures traded just above even, with the January contract adding 0.2 cents to 183.825 cents/lb.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is scheduled to issue a quarterly Hogs and Pigs report on Friday, along with monthly Cattle on Feed data.
— Christopher Walljasper reports on agriculture and ag commodities for Reuters from Chicago.
