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U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs firm as market-ready supplies remain soft

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures gained for a second day on Tuesday, supported by lower supplies of market ready hogs as the August futures contract nears expiration. “Until we start seeing better numbers coming forward on packer runs, I think that’s going to elevate things a little bit,” said Matthew […] Read more



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U.S. livestock: Lean hogs end mixed as traders eye Dominican hog disease

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures closed mixed on Thursday as pressure from news of a deadly hog disease in the Dominican Republic offset support from strong export sales and firm cash hog prices, traders said. CME August lean hog futures settled up 0.600 cent at 106.300 cents per pound, while […] Read more

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U.S. livestock: Profit-taking drags down CME livestock futures

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Tuesday after rising to their highest price in more than three weeks, while feeder cattle pulled back from contract highs on Monday. Lean hog futures also weakened as traders took money off the table after recent gains. Traders said profit-taking hit cattle markets […] Read more


This pasture, photographed on July 14, still had some green but feed is already a huge challenge for many producers. Cattle groups want government to take action on several fronts, and to move quickly.

Cattle groups lay out a four-part drought action plan to government

Livestock tax deferral, AgriRecovery, and quick access to withered crops are all priorities

Reading Time: 3 minutes The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and provincial cattle organizations have a plan to help drought-stricken beef producers. But quick action is needed, they say. The groups outlined a four-part strategy for immediate relief measures requested from federal and provincial governments during a CCA virtual Town Hall on July 19. All provincial cattle organizations, including Alberta Beef […] Read more



You can’t see the heat in this July 14 photo but the meagre cut of hay from this field west of Okotoks is clearly visible along the smoke from wildfires  in B.C. drifting in over the Rocky Mountains. And this area actually has received more moisture than ones to the south and east.

DISASTER: Hope dries up along with the pastures and fields

Everyone is hurting but the fallout for the cattle sector may be felt for years to come

Reading Time: 6 minutes The effect of the arid spring and the blistering July heatwave will be felt “for years to come.” “On a scale of one to 10, I’d put this at a 10 — it’s extremely severe,” said Melanie Wowk, chair of Alberta Beef Producers. “The herd will shrink — not just out of this province, but […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures gain

Medium-, long-term supplies tighten

Chicago | Reuters — CME feeder cattle futures firmed on Friday, bolstered by lower corn and wheat markets that may translate into eased feed costs, traders said. CME live cattle also gained and are expected to firm next week as the trade digests the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly cattle on feed report released after […] Read more


Webinar on drought and cattle

Webinar on drought and cattle

Reading Time: < 1 minute With much of the Prairies suffering drought, the Beef Cattle Research Council is putting on a webinar to answer questions about topics such as non-traditional feeds, grazing something new, water quality, animal health concerns and general questions about managing cattle during a drought. A panel of nutrition and animal health experts will answer drought-related nutrition […] Read more

CME October 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, purple and dark red lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle up on export demand

CME lean hog futures mixed

Chicago | Reuters — CME cattle futures firmed on Thursday, supported by strong export demand for U.S. supplies, traders said. Hog futures were narrowly mixed, with the nearby contract firm on good weekly exports while deferreds eased on technical selling. CME August lean hog futures gained 0.075 cents to 106.65 cents/lb., while most-active October dipped […] Read more