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

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle ease on seasonal retail softness
February hogs lower despite export optimism

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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