CME June 2021 live cattle with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise, hog futures weaken

Demand expected to rise on re-openings

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rose on Monday supported by expectations of souped-up demand as economies begin to fully re-open after shutdowns related to COVID-19. “Cattle futures continue to price in better days ahead and the technical picture looks improved as well,” brokerage StoneX said in a statement. The most-active June […] Read more

CME April 2021 feeder cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle end firm, hogs ease on profit-taking

Feeder cattle futures touch two-week top

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) live cattle futures edged higher on Friday on technical buying and as feeder cattle futures hit a two-week top on optimism about softening feed prices, analysts said. CME April live cattle settled up 0.475 cent at 119 cents/lb., holding above chart support at its 100-day moving average […] Read more


A Western blot analysis, used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, is used to confirm BSE in cattle. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Canada clears step toward ‘negligible risk’ BSE status

OIE delegates to vote in late May, CFIA says

Reading Time: 3 minutes The international committee that reviews countries’ requests for animal health status on specific diseases has called for Canada to level up on its status for BSE. The Scientific Commission of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), which last met virtually over Feb. 1-12, has recommended to OIE delegates that Canada’s application seeking “negligible risk” […] Read more

CME April 2021 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs hit contract highs, led by strong cash markets

Live cattle futures close mixed

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures surged three per cent on Thursday, setting life-of-contract highs on firming cash hog markets and rising wholesale pork prices, traders said. CME April lean hog futures settled up 2.725 cents at 91.5 cents/lb. after recording a contract high at 91.7 cents (all figures US$). […] Read more


CME April 2021 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hog futures higher, cattle end lower

Corn's setback supportive for cattle

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures ended higher on Wednesday, led by firming cash hog prices and rising wholesale pork prices, traders said. CME April lean hog futures ended up 0.425 cent at 88.775 cents/lb., inching closer to a contract high set on Feb. 25 at 90.675 cents (all figures […] Read more



CME April 2021 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs climb as pork prices rise, slaughter pace slows

Cattle futures anticipate grilling season

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures rose on Tuesday for a second straight day, supported by rising wholesale pork prices and a smaller weekly kill than a year ago, traders said. CME April lean hog futures ended up 1.05 cents at 88.35 cents/lb., moving back up toward a life-of-contract high […] Read more

One vista of Iceland.

Happiness, Iceland-style

There’s real romance to the history of Icelandic horses and sheep, and maybe real opportunity for these Canadian farmers

Reading Time: 7 minutes Over a thousand years ago, in the year 874, when the Vikings first landed on Iceland, they came with their sheep and horses, and the animals proved essential for the survival of those early Icelanders as they settled the rugged North Atlantic island. The horses served as transport and labour; the sheep provided meat, milk […] Read more



CME June 2021 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs firm as U.S. stimulus plan fuels optimism

Relief bill expected to lift meat demand

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) live cattle futures firmed on Monday, recovering from a seven-week low hit last week, on optimism that the US$1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill will spur the U.S. economy and bolster demand for meat, traders said. CME April live cattle futures settled up 0.325 cent at 119.35 cents/lb., […] Read more