CME October 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and CME lean hog cash index (blue line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hog futures fall as pork demand softens

CME cattle down despite firmer cash trade

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures fell for the sixth consecutive day on Friday, pressured by lower pork demand coinciding with larger hog supplies, analysts said. The hog market also felt the effects of investment funds liquidating long positions, traders said. “We saw a fair amount of weakness. This market has been […] Read more

CME October 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs hit lowest in more than six months

Cash market bearish on cattle futures

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures fell for the fifth day in a row on Thursday, with the front-month contract hitting its lowest since March 2 on a continuous basis. The hog market was under pressure from long liquidation by investment funds, traders said. Cattle futures were mixed, with live cattle edging […] Read more



CME October 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 100- and 200-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle touch three-month lows

Demand from packers softening

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures slid to three-month lows on Tuesday, as beef demand slows, leaving cattle producers with ample supply as packer demand softens, traders said. “Packers are bought for a long ways out — have a lot of inventory,” said Scott Varilek, broker at Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle lower as beef prices cool

Lean hogs close mostly lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Thursday, on softening wholesale beef prices and a lack of supportive news, traders said. CME October live cattle settled down 1.525 cents at 126.05 cents/lb. after hitting 125.875, near the contract’s 100-day moving average and its lowest price since Aug. 6 (all figures […] Read more

There’s some green now, but pastures at their farm near Del Bonita — like virtually everywhere — have been hit extremely hard this year, says Sheila Hillmer, pictured with son Keeley.

Relief money is coming soon, but the pain will be long lasting

Producers here are to receive $340 million, but many say it won’t be enough

Reading Time: 3 minutes The first drought relief payment of $94 per head should be in the hands of cattle producers soon. Alberta Beef Producers has been working with the provincial crop insurer to get the drought relief money out as quickly as possible, said general manager Brad Dubeau. “We’re continuing to work with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation very, […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end up off six-session skid

Hogs up but still rangebound

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher Wednesday on short-covering after a six-session decline and expectations of firming cash cattle prices, traders said. However, the rally was capped by falling wholesale beef prices, with the U.S. grilling season poised to wind down after Monday’s Labour Day holiday. CME October live […] Read more

A Western blot analysis, used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, is used to confirm BSE in cattle. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Brazil’s ag ministry investigating suspected BSE case

Evidence suggests 'atypical' BSE, source says

Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil’s agriculture ministry said Wednesday it was investigating a suspected case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the country, according to a statement. An industry source told Reuters, on condition of anonymity, that the suspected case occurred in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The ministry said such investigations are […] Read more


File photo of a roundworm larva. (Dotana/iStock/Getty Images)

Health Canada warns people not to take livestock dewormers

No evidence that drug is effective against COVID-19

“Concerning reports” of people in Canada seeking out veterinary-grade dewormers for personal use have led Health Canada to formally advise against doing so. News reports in Western Canada in the past week have described increased demand from non-farming consumers for veterinary-grade ivermectin, whether at livestock supply retailers or online. While ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle fall to lowest in three weeks

Hogs down off Monday's climb

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures dropped to their lowest prices in more than three weeks on Tuesday as boxed beef prices continued to weaken amid expectations for reduced demand, analysts said. Lean hog futures also declined as traders adjusted positions on the last day of the month and ahead of […] Read more