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

U.S. livestock: CME cattle tumble on worries of waning demand

Hogs up off recent lows

Chicago | Reuters — Concerns about red-hot U.S. inflation knocked down Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle and feeder cattle futures on Monday, as rising prices threaten beef demand, analysts said. Demand is most at risk for expensive steaks and other pricey cuts as some consumers shift to buying cheaper items, analysts said. U.S. consumer prices […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures consolidate near peaks

Chicago hog futures fall

Chicago | Reuters — CME Group cattle futures stabilized near recent highs on Thursday, with strong cash markets and a round of speculative buying underpinning prices. Hog futures fell as the soybean futures market rallied to its highest in nearly 10 years, raising the prospect of higher feed costs. The U.S. Agriculture Department said on […] Read more

livestock ear tag device

Satellite tracking of cows not quite ready for prime time

The potential is big but cold, monitoring frequency and a hefty price tag are issues, pilot project finds

Glacier FarmMedia – Heather Mundt has been keeping an eye on her eight high-tech heifers since fitting them with GPS-enabled smart tags last September. Despite some setbacks, the Oyen, Alta.-area producer remains excited about what the technology has to offer, she said. Mundt and husband Brenton are part of a pilot project testing the Australian-made […] Read more

Cow licks her muzzle

Be alert to bovines consuming ‘software’

Twine, plastic, rope — there is a good chance it could end up in an animal’s gut

I just completed an autopsy on an older well-doing calf that got suddenly sick dehydrated and toxic-looking. My daughter, also a veterinarian, did an autopsy on a mature cow that was losing weight and going downhill, becoming emaciated and weak. Even though both these clinical signs seem different, as well as the age difference between […] Read more


CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and 200-day moving average (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally on concerns about supplies

July lean hogs turn lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rallied on Wednesday, supported by technical buying and signs of tightening supplies in the cash market, traders said. On a continuous basis, the front-month fed cattle contract hit its highest since November 2015. Live cattle hit a six-week high. Hog futures ended weaker, giving up early […] Read more

CME August 2022 feeder cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rose on Tuesday, supported by good export prospects and strength in the cash market, traders said. Hog futures firmed on a technical bounce. U.S. beef processors on Tuesday slaughtered an estimated 126,000 cattle, up from 121,000 a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. Hog […] Read more

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Fifth-generation cattle rancher aims to build biggest U.S. beef plant

Chicago | Reuters — A fifth-generation cattle rancher and consultant plans to build the country’s largest beef plant in South Dakota with capacity to slaughter 8,000 head of cattle a day. The US$1.1 billion project could help address the Biden administration’s concerns about rising food prices and a lack of competition in the meat sector, […] Read more


CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 10-, 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures fall as corn prices rise

Supply outlook also a concern

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Monday, pressured by ample supplies and concerns about feed costs due to high corn prices, traders said. Hog futures were also weak. U.S. beef processors on Monday slaughtered an estimated 125,000 cattle, up from 117,000 a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle, feeder cattle touch three-week highs

July lean hogs close lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures topped a three-week high in the most-active contract on Friday before ending lower amid pre-weekend profit-taking, analysts said. Feeder cattle futures also exceeded a three-week high, while lean hog futures came under pressure at the CME. Strong demand for cattle from meatpackers and a decline […] Read more