(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures extend slide as corn prices charge higher

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures closed lower on Thursday for the 10th time in the last 11 sessions, pressured by fund-driven long liquidation and soaring corn prices that threaten cattle feeders’ profits, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange June live cattle futures settled down 1.4 cents at 115.85 cents/lb. (all figures US$). CME August […] Read more

CME June 2021 lean hogs with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs ease but remain near highs

Live cattle follow boxed beef higher

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures stepped back on Monday but remained near recent highs as demand optimism persists, supported by tighter hog supplies. As the U.S. economy rebuilds and meat demand at restaurants increases into the summer, analysts expect supplies to remain tight for several months. “The deferred contracts should […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs resume climb on robust demand

Cattle down ahead of USDA report

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures ended mostly higher on Friday, rebounding from sharp declines the previous day as strong pork demand and tight hog supplies extended the market’s recent advance. Hog futures have soared in recent weeks, with April futures touching a 6-1/2 year front-month-contract high on Friday, as traders […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs climb to 6-1/2-year high

Cattle futures follow hogs higher

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rallied for a second straight session on Wednesday and the spot contract rose to the highest in 6-1/2 years on elevated pork prices and expectations for continued strong pork export sales. Pork prices have been rising, led by higher pork belly values, as retailers and […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Live cattle end firm, led by rising beef prices

Lean hog futures edge higher

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed higher on Monday as support from strong wholesale beef prices and expectations of firm cash cattle prices overshadowed pressure from bearish data in a monthly cattle report released late Friday, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange April live cattle futures settled up 0.425 cent at 122.95 cents/lb. […] Read more

CME March 2021 feeder cattle (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (red line) and CBOT March 2021 corn (yellow line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle gain from falling feed prices

Live cattle, lean hog futures also up

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — CME Group feeder cattle futures rose on Friday, bolstered by falling corn futures. March feeder cattle gained five cents to settle at 144.15 cents, adding 9.575 cents for the week — a 7.1 per cent gain as corn fell 5.8 per cent, its biggest drop since the week ending March 20, […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Live cattle climb ahead of USDA report

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — CME Group live cattle futures gained on Thursday ahead of a closely watched monthly Cattle on Feed report, due out on Friday from the U.S. Agriculture Department. Traders anticipate the report will show fewer cattle heading into feedlots, as recent rallies in the grain market have increased feed costs. “The incentive, […] Read more

CME April 2021 lean hogs with 20- and 100-day moving averages plus CBOT May 2021 corn (yellow line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs climb on falling grain futures

April live cattle close lower

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — CME Group lean hog futures climbed Wednesday, supported by lower feed grain futures and expectations the U.S. herd will shrink moving into the spring, traders said. CME’s most-active April lean hogs added 1.65 cents to close at 73.075 cents/lb., while the spot February contract strengthened 1.95 cents to end at 68.425 […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures strengthen ahead of USDA report

CME lean hogs dip nearer cash index level

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — CME Group live cattle futures gained on Tuesday as traders began positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, traders said. Feeder cattle futures also rose, supported by weaker feed grain futures. Lean hog futures declined after gaining on Friday as futures look to […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures weaken on technical setback

Hog futures up ahead of USDA data

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures eased on Monday, setting back on some mild technical selling after three days of gains, while hog futures edged higher, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) February live cattle futures settled 0.2 cent lower at 114.65 cents/lb. (all figures US$). The contract hit its highest since Nov. […] Read more