CME February 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20- and 50-day moving averages and January 2021 feeder cattle (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures step back on demand uncertainty

February lean hog futures lower

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures trimmed on Thursday as fears of additional pandemic closures weighed on the demand outlook, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange February live cattle futures fell 1.35 cents to 112.575 cents/lb., the contract’s biggest decline in two weeks (all figures US$). CME January feeder cattle ended two cents lower at […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures gain on strong cash trade

CME lean hogs down off six-week high

Chicago | Reuetrs — Live cattle futures gained on Wednesday, supported by a firming cash cattle market as traders eye the consumer demand picture. Chicago Mercantile Exchange February live cattle futures added 0.75 cent to settle at 113.925 cents/lb. (all figures US$). Tighter cattle supplies could begin pushing cash markets higher, whittling away at historically […] Read more


CME February 2021 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle strengthen on demand outlook

Export demand supports hog futures, for now

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures rose on Tuesday, supported by strong U.S. consumer demand and high wholesale beef prices, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange February live cattle futures added 0.3 cent to 113.175 cents/lb. (all figures US$). CME cattle futures have been steady in recent weeks, recovering from a slump in late October […] Read more

CME February 2021 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures gain on strong pork demand

Weak beef exports drag on live cattle futures

Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures gained on Monday as demand for pork keeps pace with strong production, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s benchmark February lean hog futures contract settled 1.325 cents higher at 68.575 cents/lb. (all figures US$). “Demand must be good,” said Alan Brugler, president of Brugler Marketing. “Cold storage stocks continue […] Read more

CBOT January 2021 soybeans with 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans firm as South American crops struggle

Corn, wheat futures also higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures ended higher on Friday as continued dryness in South America threatened to stress the crop in Brazil and Argentina, while strong export demand strengthened corn and wheat. Chicago Board of Trade’s most-active soybean futures added 7-3/4 cents to $11.91-3/4 a bushel, ending the week up 10-3/4 cents for […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures trim as traders weigh weak exports

Lean hogs down with pork export figures

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures fell on Friday on profit-taking during a shortened holiday-trading day, while less-than-stellar weekly beef exports added pressure to livestock futures overall, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange February live cattle futures fell for the first time in the past five trading sessions, ending the day down 0.925 cent at […] Read more

CME December 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures gain on boxed beef strength

Lean hog futures down with slaughter pace

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures climbed on Wednesday as strength in the cash market and firm beef cutout prices continued to offer support, traders said. “We’ve had a pretty decent rally on the meat side, and I think that’s certainly been a factor,” said Altin Kalo, economist with Steiner Consulting Group. Chicago […] Read more

CBOT January 2021 soybeans (candlesticks) with ICE January 2021 canola (yellow line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans hold near four-year high

Focus shifts to Tuesday's USDA report to gauge tightening supply

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures held near a four-year high on Friday as Brazilian dryness and strong demand from leading importer China kept the market focused on the prospect of tightening supplies. Corn and wheat dipped but were underpinned by weather risks and Chinese-fueled international demand. The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago […] Read more


CME December 2020 live cattle with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures up despite slower slaughter

December lean hog futures drop

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures gained slightly on Friday after a week of range trading, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange December live cattle futures settled 0.3 cent higher at 108.65 cents/lb. (all figures US$). CME feeder cattle futures gained 0.525 cents to end at 135.925 cents/lb. For the week, live cattle futures […] Read more

CBOT January 2021 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans reach four-year high on global supply concerns

Corn, wheat rise to one-week highs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures reached four-year highs on Thursday as continued dryness in South America’s crop areas raised supply concerns at a time of brisk Chinese demand. Corn and wheat hit their highest in more than one week on strong demand and supply concerns. The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board […] Read more