Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rallied on Wednesday, supported by technical buying and signs of tightening supplies in the cash market, traders said. On a continuous basis, the front-month fed cattle contract hit its highest since November 2015. Live cattle hit a six-week high. Hog futures ended weaker, giving up early […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally on concerns about supplies
July lean hogs turn lower
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rose on Tuesday, supported by good export prospects and strength in the cash market, traders said. Hog futures firmed on a technical bounce. U.S. beef processors on Tuesday slaughtered an estimated 126,000 cattle, up from 121,000 a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. Hog […] Read more
Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in livestock is hitting the next level
There are now a variety of NSAIDs and we can select the right ones for specific situations
Reading Time: 4 minutes I recently listened to a talk by two technical services veterinarians with Merck animal health. What I liked about the presentation was they broke down the different disease categories we have on our farms and ranches, and went over what probably would be the first choice for an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and the second […] Read more
Fifth-generation cattle rancher aims to build biggest U.S. beef plant
Chicago | Reuters — A fifth-generation cattle rancher and consultant plans to build the country’s largest beef plant in South Dakota with capacity to slaughter 8,000 head of cattle a day. The US$1.1 billion project could help address the Biden administration’s concerns about rising food prices and a lack of competition in the meat sector, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures fall as corn prices rise
Supply outlook also a concern
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Monday, pressured by ample supplies and concerns about feed costs due to high corn prices, traders said. Hog futures were also weak. U.S. beef processors on Monday slaughtered an estimated 125,000 cattle, up from 117,000 a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle, feeder cattle touch three-week highs
July lean hogs close lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures topped a three-week high in the most-active contract on Friday before ending lower amid pre-weekend profit-taking, analysts said. Feeder cattle futures also exceeded a three-week high, while lean hog futures came under pressure at the CME. Strong demand for cattle from meatpackers and a decline […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle firm on strong demand
Lean hogs mixed near unchanged
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group live cattle futures firmed on Thursday, supported by steady cash prices across the U.S. Plains, as well as strength in consumer beef demand, despite inflationary forces, analysts said. “The feeling two, three weeks ago was that beef demand wasn’t that good and was going to really start […] Read more
Weaning calves early isn’t normal but is an option in a time of drought
There's some clear benefits for the herd, but what do you do with the calves?
Reading Time: 3 minutes When feed is tight and times are tough, early calf weaning is an option — albeit an unusual one, says one of the country’s leading cattle experts. “Early weaning is talked about a lot, but not many people do it,” said Dr. John Campbell, a professor of large-animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and an […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hogs firm on summer demand, tight supplies
Lower corn futures support feeder cattle
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group lean hog futures firmed on Wednesday, supported by strong demand that has pushed cash prices higher. “We’re still looking at tighter supplies in front of us,” said Rich Nelson, chief strategist at Allendale Inc. Pork demand firms during the summer, with U.S. grilling holidays such as Father’s […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hog, cattle futures fall despite strong demand
Markets see 'a risk-off day'
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group lean hog futures fell on Tuesday, amid outside pressure from agricultural markets, despite strength from strong slaughter and cash hog prices. “We just had a risk-off day,” said Matthew Wiegand, Risk Management Consultant at FuturesOne. “Cash trade kicked up and is trading above the board.” The CME’s […] Read more