Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures gained on Thursday, as mixed grain trade offered some relief for feed costs, while strong beef demand continued to support prices, traders said. CME’s June live cattle futures added 0.6 cent to 116.05 cents/lb., while August feeder cattle futures gained 0.975 cents to close at 149.875 cents/lb. […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle gain on grain market uncertainty
Lean hogs down with cash market
Cattle can get stuck or go down when being processed
Watch for balking and think prevention when it comes to alleyways and chutes
Reading Time: 3 minutes Large cows or bulls can get stuck or go down in a chute or an alleyway system, and that can cause losses or welfare issues. I have trained myself to really watch when cattle balk at certain points of a handling system as there is often a very good reason for this, and one that […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hog futures gain as supply outlook wanes
Live cattle ease on higher grain prices
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures climbed on Wednesday, supported by tight supplies and low inventory of available young hogs for producers as summer demand ramps up, traders said. CME most-active June lean hogs added 2.45 cents, to 109.125 cents/lb., with all contract months but June notching life-of-contract highs (all figures US$). “Tighter […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle ease on higher grain costs
Feeder cattle, lean hogs mixed
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures eased on Tuesday, as higher input costs could lead to near-term selling of cattle as producers are resistant to paying higher feed costs, traders said. “You’ve got your cost of gains climbing and climbing,” said Scott Varilek, broker at Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading Inc. “Could be some […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle divorce from futures’ direction
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Higher-quality yearlings and calves were steady to $4 higher in Alberta and Saskatchewan; in Manitoba, yearlings traded $2-$4 lower while calves were $3-$5 higher. Domestic cattle markets appeared to divorce from feeder and live cattle futures. June live cattle futures finished the week […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures climb on USDA report
Lean hog futures' gains continue
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures gained on Monday, supported by Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report that showed smaller-than-expected placements, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange June live cattle futures settled 0.55 cent higher at 116.275 cents/lb. while the August contract ended 1.1 cents higher at 117.95 cents (all figures US$). “It wasn’t […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures close narrowly mixed
CME hog futures climb
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed narrowly mixed on Friday, with nearby contracts pressured by lacklustre cash cattle trade and position-squaring ahead of a monthly government cattle report, analysts said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange June live cattle futures settled down 0.125 cent at 115.725 cents/lb. while the August contract ended up 0.125 cent […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures sag on technical selling
Wholesale beef prices supportive
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures closed lower on Wednesday on lacklustre cash markets, soaring feed costs and technical selling, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange June live cattle futures settled down 1.95 cents at 117.25 cents/lb., with chart-based selling accelerating as the contract fell below its 100-day moving average near 117.65 cents (all figures […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets experience volatility
Beef prices encourage slaughter pace
Compared to the previous week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$4 on either side of week-ago levels. Prices were quite variable across the Prairies with four main factors influencing buyer sentiment. First, the eastern Prairie regions experienced adverse winter weather. Auction barns in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan had smaller volumes on offer. Buyers shied […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle bounce after eight-session skid
Lean hogs up on demand, cash prices
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed higher on Tuesday for the first time in nine sessions as brisk demand for beef and a rally in lean hog futures prompted a round of bargain-buying, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange June live cattle settled up 0.6 cent at 119.2 cents/lb., and August feeder cattle […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
