Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) cattle futures turned solidly higher Wednesday while lean hogs mostly continued lower. Most-active December live cattle closed 1.975 cents higher Wednesday at 186.975 cents/lb., erasing two days’ losses, but not before touching a one-month low of 184.25 (all figures US$). Both front-month October 2023 and February 2024 turned 1.925 cents higher, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Chicago cattle turn higher
CME lean hogs mostly lower
U.S. livestock: Live cattle mostly lower
Lean hogs also down a second day
Most-active December live cattle on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) turned lower for a second day in a row Tuesday, as did lean hog and deferred-month feeder cattle futures. December live cattle closed Tuesday at 185 cents/lb., down 0.35 cent on the day, while lightly-traded front-month October ended up 0.2 cent at 182.575 cents/lb. (all […] Read more
Klassen: Steam evaporates off yearling market
August 2024 feeder futures at a premium
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $4 lower. The yearling quality continues to fade as thicker flesh levels are starting to appear. Steer calves were down $4-$8 on average while heifer calves were down $15 to as much as $20 in some cases. From a seasonal perspective, the calf market […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs down as Middle East war sparks risk-off selling
Smithfield to shut Charlotte, N.C. plant
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures retreated on Monday while lean hog futures fell for the first time in four sessions, pressured by risk-off selling as violence erupted in the Middle East over the weekend and riled global markets. The bloodiest fighting in years between the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and Israel […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hog futures rise for third day in a row
Cattle futures turn higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rose on Friday, extending a rally that was sparked by a strong export sales report a day earlier, traders said. A round of short covering was noted as prices moved off of the four-month lows hit on Wednesday. Cattle futures also were firm. The most-active […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hogs rally, export sales in focus
Cattle futures turn lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rallied on Thursday, with signs of strong export demand supporting prices following the market’s decline to its lowest in more than four months on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Thursday morning that export sales of pork totaled 42,900 metric tonnes in […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hog futures break losing streak
CME cattle futures close firm
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures closed firm on Wednesday, snapping a three session losing streak as traders said that the U.S. government’s most recent bearish supply forecast had been priced into the market. Cattle futures were consolidating after posting sharp declines a day earlier, but both feeders and live cattle […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures drop on technical selling
U.S. supply outlook drags on hog futures
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures fell on Tuesday, pressured by technical selling and demand concerns, traders said. Hog futures notched their third straight losing session as the government’s bigger-than-expected supply report from last week continued to weigh on the market. The benchmark CME December lean hogs futures contract sank 0.425 cent […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market falters at record highs
Risk premiums in market seen eroding
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 to as much as $8 lower on average. Calf markets were relatively unchanged to $10 lower. There was moderate demand for top quality grass yearlings but plainer types experienced softer buying interest. Pre-conditioned calves held value but unweaned bawlers appear to set back $5-$10. Seasonally, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs extend selloff on supply view
Cattle futures book gains
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell sharply for the second day in a row, hitting a four-month low as traders adjusted their expectations for prices to reflect the U.S. government’s bigger-than-expected supply view. “We simply don’t need the sow base we currently have or need lower prices to clear the […] Read more
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