Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live and feeder cattle futures dropped to their lowest prices in about two months on Thursday as traders adjusted positions before a government report that is expected to show an increase in supplies. Hog futures, meanwhile, advanced to their highest prices in about two weeks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle stumble to two-month low ahead of USDA report
Lean hogs follow cutout values higher
U.S. grains: Corn futures hit three-month high on export demand
Profit-taking sparks pullback in CBOT wheat
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures topped a three-month high on Thursday on improved export demand, while wheat futures traded near a 1-1/2 year high reached a session earlier. Soybeans eased to a one-month low as traders awaited signs of Chinese purchases of U.S. crops in the wake of last week’s initial trade agreement […] Read more
Improving global ag trade may not favour Canada
MarketsFarm — When it comes to improving global trade relations, a rising tide may not lift all boats. In the recently-signed Phase One trade deal between the U.S. and China, Beijing pledged to significantly increase Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans and other agriculture goods. “Where does that leave room for Canada, given the demand side […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Uncertainty pervades markets
MarketsFarm — The price spread between green and yellow peas continues to widen in Western Canada, but whether or not that trend will continue remains to be seen. Numerous outside factors lend a general air of uncertainty to the pulse market, according to a pulse trader. Green peas typically trade at a premium to yellow […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Corn set to rally
MarketsFarm — Corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade may be due for a rally. The March corn contract hit $3.92 per bushel three times earlier in the month, facing stiff resistance to break higher (all figures US$). Prices established lows last week, around $3.7525. “I would like to see resistance be taken to […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle sag on supply expectations
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures weakened on Wednesday as traders prepared for a government report that is expected to confirm the nation’s supplies have expanded from a year ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will report on Friday that there were 11.948 million head of cattle on feed for slaughter as of Jan. […] Read more
U.S. grains: Robust global demand supports Chicago wheat
Chicago | Reuters — Profit-taking pulled down Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures on Wednesday after robust global demand and concerns about tightening supplies pushed the most-active contract to its highest price since August 2018. Soybean futures also ended lower, while nearby corn futures inched higher. Traders in the farm markets continued to wait for […] Read more
Namibia looks to import cattle as drought decimates herds
Windhoek | Reuters — Namibian state-owned meat processing and marketing firm Meatco is in talks with neighbour Botswana to import cattle, as severe drought decimates local herds and threatens beef export deals with China and European countries. The southern African desert nation moved closer to famine last month after dam levels fell below 20 per […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soy fall as traders await Chinese buying
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures weakened and soybeans touched a five-week low on Tuesday as traders awaited confirmation that China has started to buy more U.S. crops after the countries signed an initial trade deal last week. Most actively traded wheat futures hit their highest price since August 2018 at the Chicago Board […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs, cattle ease amid uncertain Chinese demand
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. livestock futures came under pressure on Tuesday as traders waited for signs of increased Chinese demand after Beijing and Washington signed an initial trade deal last week. China pledged to increase purchases of U.S. agricultural products as part of the agreement, which is meant to reduce tensions after nearly two […] Read more