Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures advanced for a third straight session on Friday supported by technical and bargain buying and as strong packer margins were seen potentially keeping a floor under cash cattle prices.
Futures rose despite some demand concerns as soaring U.S. coronavirus rates triggered lockdowns that impact restaurant traffic, and as negotiations over a new pandemic relief bill stalled.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) February live cattle futures ended 1.4 cents higher at 113.25 cents/lb. after breaking through technical chart resistance at its 100-day moving average (all figures US$). January feeder cattle jumped 2.125 cents, to 139.725 cents/lb.
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As the harvest in southern Alberta presses on, a broker said that is one of the factors pulling feed prices lower in the region. Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers in Lethbridge, added that lower cattle numbers in feedlots, plentiful amounts of grass for cattle to graze and a lacklustre export market also weighed on feed prices.
Cash cattle at U.S. Plains feedlot markets traded lower this week, but sales volumes were lighter than normal. Some traders and analysts believe cash prices could be steady to higher next week.
“We have not built the showlists up. We are running pretty tight on available cattle for the packer so next week he’s probably going to have to come hunting for more cattle to fill his needs, especially with the New Year’s holiday coming,” said Mike Zuzolo, president of Global Commodity Analytics.
Retail beef demand was strong as prices have declined and grocers have been offering specials, he said.
The choice boxed beef cutout fell 71 cents to $213.88/cwt on Friday, while choice cuts dropped $2.76, to $195.71/cwt, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Both were the lowest in a month.
Lean hog futures tumbled for a second straight day on technical selling and liquidation pressure.
“The technicals gave way in the hogs by taking out some support lines and short-term moving averages. That spurred some liquidation pressure,” Zuzolo said.
February lean hogs fell 1.875 cents to 63.225 cents/lb., closing just above technical chart support at its 200-day moving average.
— Karl Plume reports on agriculture and ag commodities for Reuters from Chicago.
