Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures surged to a contract high on strong demand and technical buying on Tuesday, while cattle futures also advanced, analysts said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange April lean hog futures settled up 2.575 cents at 78.075 cents/lb. (all figures US$). The contract traded up to 78.225 cents, topping a previous […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME lean hog futures hit contract high
Cattle futures up on domestic, export demand for beef
U.S. grains: Corn falls after six-session gain
Wheat eases as Egypt tender favours Russian wheat, despite export tax
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures eased on Tuesday after six sessions of gains, as the market watched to see if a surge in Chinese demand would continue to erode U.S. supplies. Soybeans also fell as traders assessed upcoming Brazilian exports against risks that rainfall will slow harvest work. Wheat followed corn and soybeans […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn sets new high on export sales
Wheat falls even as Russia considers more export tax
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures climbed to 7-1/2-year highs on Monday, supported by continued export demand. Soybeans ended slightly weaker after climbing back from a 20-cent drop in earlier trading, supported by a slow Brazilian harvest that could affect exports (all figures US$). Wheat followed soy lower. The Chicago Board of Trade’s most-active […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Profit-taking hits live cattle futures
CME April hogs also down off Friday's high
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures weakened on Monday on profit-taking and as the market pulled back from a one-year high reached last week, traders said. Strong demand for beef has supported cattle futures recently, and beef prices continue to rise. Choice cuts advanced $1.82, to $235.77/cwt, and select cuts climbed $2.98, to […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle slide on end-month profit-taking
Firm pork prices support CME lean hogs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed lower on Friday as traders booked profits at the end of the week and month, and as Wall Street equity markets declined, traders said. Lower-than-expected cash cattle trades added to bearish sentiment. Market-ready cattle traded in the cash market as high as $113/cwt, traders said, up […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn sets 7-1/2-year high on China sales
Chicago wheat also up, soybeans firm
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures rose more than two per cent on Friday and set a multi-year high after China booked its biggest purchase of U.S. corn to date, fueling expectations of tightening global supplies. Wheat futures also rose about two per cent, chasing corn higher, and soybeans firmed as well. Chicago Board […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Lower U.S. prices, weaker loonie generate mixed results
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada were mixed during the week ended Thursday, with Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) bids down and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) steady to higher. Bids for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) were also higher on the week. Price changes in U.S. wheat markets guided the gains and losses […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle end narrowly mixed
Hogs also mixed, feeder cattle mostly lower
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed narrowly mixed on Thursday, with the benchmark April contract inching higher as strong wholesale beef prices continued to support the market, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange April live cattle settled up 0.075 cent at 122.7 cents/lb. (all figures US$). But front-month February futures ended lower, down […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn ends flat after vaulting to 7-1/2 year high
Corn sales to China spurred climb
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures settled nearly flat on Thursday after a volatile session in which the benchmark contract hit its highest level in 7-1/2 years, buoyed by U.S. corn sales to China, only to retreat on profit-taking, traders said. Soybean and wheat futures closed lower in technical trade, despite concerns about tightening […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle, lean hogs end lower on profit-taking
March feeder cattle also lower
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell on Wednesday in a light profit-taking setback following a four-session climb, and on spillover weakness from declines in Wall Street equity markets, traders said. However, continued strength in wholesale beef prices and expectations of higher cash cattle prices this week underpinned the market. Chicago Mercantile Exchange […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
