Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures fell after three straight days of gains on Friday as a firmer dollar disadvantaged the crop in the export market and a forecast for rain promised much-needed relief to dry soils in the U.S. Plains, traders said. Soybean markets also sagged on concerns about export demand, with sales […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat, soybean futures fall with export prospects
Corn edges up ahead of Memorial Day

U.S. grains: Corn climbs to one-year high as rains stall planting
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures scaled to their highest in a year on Friday as soggy U.S. Midwest field conditions and forecasts for unrelenting rain across the region heightened concerns that farmers may be unable to plant a sizable portion of the crop. Soybeans followed corn higher, also supported by worries about planting […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hogs limit down on continued export uncertainty
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures fell sharply on Friday on weak pork prices and concerns about export demand as trade tensions have increased between the U.S. and China, the world’s largest hog and pork market. Traders squared positions ahead of the long Memorial Day holiday weekend due to the […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs end mixed as market assesses trade battles
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) closed mixed on Monday as traders weighed positive news of easing trade tensions with Mexico and Canada against signs that trade ties with China are worsening. The U.S. struck deals last week to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle limit up on short-covering
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle on Wednesday settled up its three-cent-per-pound daily price limit, driven by short-covering and fund buying, traders said. They said CME live cattle garnered more support from higher wholesale beef values and future’s discount to early-week prices for market-ready, or cash, cattle. June and August live cattle […] Read more

U.S. beef packer margins soar as cattle prices fall
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. beef packers including Tyson Foods and Cargill are racking up historically high margins, thanks to slumping cattle prices amid a supply glut and as Americans turn to beef for their backyard summer barbecues. Supermarkets are stocking up on steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers for the May 26 U.S. Memorial Day […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle sag despite fundamentals
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle nearby contracts on Wednesday were weakened by funds that sold, or “rolled,” June positions into back months ahead of similar moves early next week, said traders. Nearby market losses trumped futures’ bullish discount to cash prices, strong wholesale beef values and triple-digit beef packer profits. June […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Funds, bargain buying rally live cattle
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle on Thursday reversed some of their recent losses, stirred by fund buying and bargain hunting as the U.S. Memorial Day holiday approaches, said traders. They said futures’ discounts to this week’s cash prices attracted would-be buyers. June closed 1.8 cents/lb. higher at 123.925 cents, and above […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle retreat following initial cash prices
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts slumped on Wednesday, pulled down by technical selling and lower preliminary cash prices, said traders. June closed 0.95 cent/lb. lower at 122.125 cents (all figures US$). August closed 1.4 cents lower at 119.925 cents, and below the 10-day moving average of 120.13 cents. Wednesday morning’s […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hogs gain, cattle ease on spread unwinding
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures rose to a three-month high on Tuesday while live cattle declined as some investors unwound hog-cattle spreads, traders and analysts said. Traders locked in profits on long cattle-short hog spreads, with Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle declining for the first time in four sessions and easing from […] Read more