Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts closed higher on Tuesday, driven by a recent surge in wholesale beef prices that stirred optimism for cash prices later this week, traders said. April futures ended 1.425 cents/lb. higher at 140.725 (all figures US$). June closed up 1.5 cents/lb. at 130.325 after peaking at […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Surging beef prices push CME live cattle higher
Klassen: Feeder market adjusting to various factors
Western Canadian feeder markets experienced a mixed volatile tone over the past week. Replacement cattle over 800 lbs. were $3 lower to $8 higher on average, while lighter weight categories traded $10 lower to $10 higher in comparison to week-ago levels. Larger volumes of backgrounded yearling cattle are coming on the market at this time […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle close mostly firm
Chicago | Reuters –– Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts gained modestly on Monday, after investors sold April and simultaneously bought deferred months in a strategy known as bear spreading, traders said. April ended 0.5 cents/lb. lower at 139.3. June closed up 0.275 cent/lb. to 128.825 and August finished 0.4 cent higher at 123.6 […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle spike on cash price hopes
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures peaked at a four-month high on Friday, fueled by short-covering in anticipation of strong market-ready, or cash, cattle prices later on Friday, traders said. April ended 1.5 cents/lb. higher at 139.8, and June closed up 0.925 cent/lb. to 128.55 (all figures US$). Cash cattle bids […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cash outlook drives CME live cattle higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished sharply higher on Thursday, driven by short-covering and recent run up in wholesale beef prices, traders said. April ended 1.525 cents/lb. higher at 138.3, and June closed up 1.325 cents/lb. to 127.625 (all figures US$). The morning’s wholesale choice beef price climbed $1.36/cwt from […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs surge amid summer grilling questions
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures for animals set to be delivered in July and August surged to all-new contract highs on Wednesday, as investors bet on tighter supplies being available for the summer grilling season. Demand from pork packers was a bit hit and miss, said one cash hog dealer […] Read more
Klassen: Uncertain beef demand weighs on feeder market
The prolonged period of negative feeding margins continues to set a tone in the feeder market. Alberta packers were buying limited numbers of fed cattle this past week with dressed sales in the range of $280 to $283, down nearly $10-$14 from two weeks ago. This appears to have spilled over into the feeder market, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle rise as traders exit nearby positions
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Tuesday, after traders exited nearby positions to avoid taking delivery and packers seemed to be bidding more aggressively than expected in the U.S. southern Plains. Traders said there was talk of Texas packers on Tuesday bidding in line with what they paid […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end lower as funds roll long positions
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Monday, after funds sold, or rolled, their April long positions and simultaneously bought deferred months, traders said. Funds trading in CME’s live cattle and hog markets shifted June long positions further back in a procedure known as the “roll” by followers of […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle snaps back in anticipation of cash prices
Chicago/Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts rose on Friday, paring recent losses as investors pulled futures closer in line with expectations for cash prices later on Friday, traders said. April closed 0.900 cent per lb higher at 136.350 cents, and June ended up 0.850 cent to 126.475. “We’re just playing catch up to […] Read more