Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continued on a downward trajectory trading $3-$5 below week-ago levels. Erratic buying interest resulted in inconsistent price action across the Prairies which made the market difficult to define. Smaller groups of various quality cattle were on offer, justifying the softer tone, but feedlot operators demonstrated unwavering fortitude even on genetically […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market seeking stability
U.S. opens up to Brazil fresh beef imports
Reading Time: 1 minute Brasilia | Reuters –– The U.S. and Brazilian governments exchanged food safety equivalence documents on Monday that will open up their respective markets to fresh beef exports, a window expected to boost Brazil’s exports to the U.S. by US$900 million. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said its Food Safety and Inspection Service had determined that […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hogs settle mostly weak on month-end positioning
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago / Reuters – Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog contracts closed weaker on Friday, after a volatile session highlighted by investors squaring positions on the final trading day of the month, trader said. August hogs finished up 0.125 cent per lb to 68.975 cents. October ended 0.150 cent per lb lower at 59.050 cents and December down 0.075 cent to […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Slumping cash prices sink CME hogs to four-month low
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Thursday settled near their lowest since late-March 2013, dragged down by weaker cash prices before some plants shut down on Monday for an annual industry floater holiday, traders said. One packer was closed on Thursday, and possibly on Friday, for repairs, which limited its need for supplies, a Midwest hog merchant […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hog futures biggest one-day loss in seven months
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Wednesday slumped nearly four per cent, their biggest daily decline since mid-December 2015, pressured by day’s steep wholesale pork price drop and further cash price weakness, traders said. August hogs finished 2.925 cents per lb lower at 71.675 cents. October ended 2.575 cents per lb lower at 61.050 cents. Cash hog prices […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Beef price bounce extends CME live cattle futures gains
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures gained for a third straight session on Tuesday, fueled by technical buying and the day’s wholesale beef price turnaround, said traders. August live cattle closed 0.925 cents per lb higher at 113.875 cents, and above the 40-day moving average of 113.30 cents. October settled 1.500 cents higher at 112.575 cents and over […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market remains sluggish
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3 to as much as $10 below week ago levels due to deteriorating feedlot margins and building beef supplies. Once again the bulk of the pressure was on the heavier weight categories as the deferred live cattle futures made fresh contract lows. Alberta packers showed limited interest in fed […] Read more
Fewer U.S. cattle than expected placed in feedlots in June
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago/Reuters – The number of cattle placed into U.S. feedlots in June rose three per cent from a year earlier, the government said July 22, below the expectations of most analysts. Fewer cattle imports from Mexico, along with lackluster prices for cattle ready for slaughter last month, may have slowed the flow of animals into feeding […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle futures surge by 3-cent/lb price limit
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled up by their 3-cents-per-lb daily price limit on Monday, driven by fund buying and Friday’s mildly bullish government monthly cattle report, said traders. August and October live cattle closed at 112.950 cents and 111.075 cents per lb, respectively. Live cattle’s trading limit will be expanded […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures rally before USDA report
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Friday after short-covering and bargain hunting snapped a three-day losing streak, traders said. August live cattle ended 2.425 cents per lb higher at 109.950 cents, and October closed 2.375 cents higher at 108.075 cents. Investors were awaiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle-On-Feed report on Friday at 2 […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
