CME October 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and dark red lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog, cattle futures up on broad commodities rally

Lower-than-expected inflation data provides boost

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rose on Wednesday, with the October contract hitting a life-of-contract high on brisk pork demand and broad strength in commodities on signs of decelerating U.S. inflation, traders said. Livestock and other commodities rose along with Wall Street equity markets as lower-than-expected U.S. inflation data drove […] Read more

CME October 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures dip in technical, profit-taking pullback

CME hogs end day mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Tuesday in a technical-selling and profit-taking setback from 3-1/2 month highs posted in the prior session. Sharply lower feeder cattle futures amid higher corn feed costs put further pressure on live cattle contracts, as both livestock markets took a breather after scaling to […] Read more

CME October 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures up with cash prices, tightening supplies

October lean hogs also gain on day

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures climbed to a 3-1/2 month peak on Monday, supported by firm cash market prices and tightening supplies. Falling corn feed prices supported feeder cattle futures, while lean hog contracts also gained and touched the highest level since June 2021. CME August live cattle futures peaked […] Read more


A collection of beef cattle in a commercial feedlot, with figures of two people conversing in the background

New barns and bedding pack management make for more efficient feedlots

Encouraging employee contribution to farm management helps keep them engaged

Feedlot managers are going to school.  Maximizing productivity and reducing labour needs are among the core subjects being explored in three informational tours this summer organized by the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) and the Ontario Cattle Feeders Association (OCFA). The first 24-hour Feedlot Management School, held in late June, focused on advancements in feedlot […] Read more


The BovineHub, a weigh scale from Ireland’s StrongBó Agritech in partnership with Dr. Marty Metzger at Dave Gardiner Farms, provides low-stress, accurate cattle weights using only the animal’s two front feet on the pad. The information links automatically to the RFID tag and assists in optimizing diet and increasing profit through timely cattle marketing.

Measuring feedlots for better management

New tech tools and software are bringing data to the forefront of feedlot management

Technology is gaining traction in the beef sector and feedlot operators are turning data into physical and economic gains. More Ontario feedlot operators are ditching pen and paper in favour of apps, programs and barn tech accessories to track cattle movement and improve management efficiencies.  Why it matters: Tech support and data collection are changing […] Read more

CME October 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures end higher on firm beef prices

Futures up before new USDA figures released

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Friday, supported by strong beef prices and positioning ahead of U.S. government reports released after the close of the market, traders said. CME August live cattle futures settled up 1.65 cents at 137.375 cents/lb. and most-active October ended up 2.025 cents at […] Read more

CME August 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20- and 100-day moving averages (pink and brown lines) and CME’s cash lean hog index (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures end mixed

Cash markets lift August hogs; live cattle lower, feeder cattle up

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures closed mixed on Thursday, with the front August contract gaining against back months as a heat wave in the Midwest and Plains helped support nearby cash hog prices, traders said. CME August lean hog futures settled up 1.425 cents at 116.3 cents/lb. while most-active October […] Read more


CME August 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (pink line) and CME lean hog index (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures climb, following cash markets

CME live cattle inch up in lacklustre trade

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures closed higher on Wednesday, supported by firm cash markets tied to tight supplies of hogs, traders said. Hot weather in the U.S. midsection added support, posing potential disruptions to the transport of animals. CME August lean hog futures settled 2.05 cents higher at 114.875 cents/lb. […] Read more