CME February 2023 live cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle ease on seasonal retail softness

February hogs lower despite export optimism

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange dipped on Wednesday, as easing post-holiday retail demand, combined with strong cash cattle prices, eats into processor profitability. “This week specifically is when we transition to buying for a lower-demand period, post-holidays,” said Rich Nelson, chief strategist at Allendale Inc. “Packer margins are […] Read more

CBOT March 2023 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average (green line), MGEX March 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line) and K.C. March 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Wheat steadies after one-year low

Soybeans firm on China demand, Argentina drought

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat climbed on technical buying on Wednesday after sliding to 13-month lows earlier in the week, as global supplies weigh on U.S. markets. Soybean futures gained, underpinned by export demand optimism and dry conditions in top exporter Argentina. Corn inched higher, supported by wheat and soy despite from weaker crude […] Read more


CBOT January 2023 soybeans (candlesticks, right column) with 20-day moving average (yellow line) and CBOT January 2023 soybean meal (purple line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans firm on exports, meal strength

Chicago wheat hits fresh 13-month low

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybeans climbed on Tuesday, supported by fresh export sales and contract highs in soybean meal as weather concerns threaten Argentina’s crop, traders said. Wheat ended the session lower after trading near even much of the day, falling to fresh 13-month lows on strong global supplies. Corn followed wheat lower, despite […] Read more

CME February 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle fall on wholesale beef weakness

Feeder cattle, February hogs also lower

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange slid on Tuesday, pressured by falling wholesale beef prices. “We had a really disappointing box beef value fall off to start the week yesterday, and a little follow through today,” said Matthew Wiegand, risk management consultant at FuturesOne. Most retailers have completed purchases […] Read more

CBOT March 2023 soft red winter wheat with 50-day moving average, MGEX March 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line) and K.C. March 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Wheat slides to 13-month low

Soybeans slip despite demand hopes

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat dropped on Monday, pressured by higher global supplies despite stronger-than-expected weekly U.S. exports, analysts said. Corn eased, pressured by lower wheat, though dry conditions in South America added support. Soybeans ended lower, underpinned by export demand and strong meal trade, though wheat weighed on the oilseed as well, traders […] Read more


CME January 2023 feeder cattle (candlesticks, right column) with CBOT March 2023 corn (orange line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle firm as corn inputs slide

Live cattle climb higher in deferred months; February hogs also up

Chicago | Reuters — Feeder cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange firmed for the fifth consecutive session, as corn, a significant input for producers, continues to fall, traders said. “The feeders have sort of been hobbled for a long time because of the elevated feed price,” said Dennis Smith, livestock analyst and broker at […] Read more

CME January 2023 feeder cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder, live cattle firm as trade eyes supplies

February lean hogs close higher

Chicago | Reuters — Feeder cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange firmed on Friday, supported by lower feed grain costs and resilient live cattle futures, traders said. “The market has held together well, so there’s optimism there. Then you’ve got the grain market down double digits today, and down the day before,” said Altin […] Read more

CME February 2023 lean hogs with 20- and 100-day moving averages and CME cash lean hog index (blue line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs firm with supplies in focus

Feeder cattle up on supply expectations

Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange firmed on Thursday, erasing the week’s earlier losses as smaller supplies of market-ready hogs offset seasonal pressure. “Fundamentally, we know we’re fairly tight on supplies. We’re not getting expansion,” said Alan Brugler, president of Brugler Marketing. The CME February lean hogs contract added […] Read more


CME February 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle firm on strong cash trade

Hogs firm after five days' decline

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange firmed on Wednesday, supported by strong cash markets and a steady pace of processing. “Even though there’s a seasonal pullback for the next couple of weeks, it doesn’t look like cash wants to break,” said Scott Varilek, broker at Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading […] Read more

CME February 2023 lean hogs with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: February hogs fall on high supply, export demand concerns

Cattle futures up but seasonal pressures await

Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange eased for a fifth consecutive session on Tuesday, pressured by a combination added seasonal supply and deflated demand as China faces protests over COVID-19 lockdowns. “This three-week period, we’re pushing a large supply of hogs through the system,” said Rich Nelson, chief strategist […] Read more