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

U.S. livestock: Hog futures fall on weak export data

CME cattle futures mixed

Chicago | Reuters — CME Group hog futures fell on Thursday on poor export demand for pork, traders said. Cattle futures were mixed, with live cattle easing on weakening trades in the cash market. Feeder cattle contracts were supported by falling corn prices. The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Thursday morning that beef export sales […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef

Fed, feeder cattle prices in record-high range

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

Fed cattle found substantial tailwinds, making new record-high prices in March 2023. Feeder prices in the first quarter of 2023 are approaching the record highs from 2015. Strong cattle prices are being supported by tighter North American supplies. Following two years of drier conditions, Canadian and U.S. cattle inventories were lower to begin 2023. Fed […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Hog, cattle futures fall on poor fundamental outlook

Corn prices expected to remain weak

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures fell on Wednesday, as poor demand for pork smothered any bargain-buying attempts to pull prices away from contract lows hit earlier this week. Cattle contracts also were lower, but the declines were kept in check by expectations that corn prices will remain weak and keep feeding […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm on fed cattle strength

Alberta's disastrous wildfires may disrupt calf marketings

Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearlings over 800 lbs. were quoted steady to $4 higher; feeders between 600-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 lbs. were $5-$10 higher. The market for calves under 600 lbs. was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on […] Read more


Plan for drought to minimize the effect on your herd

Plan for drought to minimize the effect on your herd

News Roundup from the May 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Anyone farming and ranching in the Great Plains is going to have to deal with drought, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible. That was the message from Anneliese Walker at the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association conference last fall. Walker is a Princeton, Minnesota producer who also works for Maia Grazing, which […] Read more

CBOT June 2023 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rebound on technical bounce

Chicago cattle futures firm

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures recovered from contract lows on a round of technical buying on Tuesday, traders said. Traders also noted the recent declines may spark interest in the export market. “U.S. pork has become some of the cheapest in the world and it would appear we’re indeed starting […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Hog futures extend losing streak

Feeder cattle turn higher on bargain buying

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell for the fourth straight session on Monday, with the most-active June contract hitting a new low, with traders focused on cash market weakness and light demand for pork. In CME cattle futures, feeder cattle contracts rebounded from six straight losing sessions on some bargain […] Read more

A protective cow stands over her calf. The Griswolds’ cows crossed the line from protective to down- right aggressive, making on-farm vet calls challenging.

Mud and ornery heifer make veterinary practice ‘fun’

Veterinary Case Study: Ron introduces a vet student to the fine art of managing manure, mud and high-strung heifers

Unfortunately, not all parts of any professional undertaking are characterized by grandeur despite excruciating hours of study, diagnostic challenges and creating positive financial outcomes for clients. There are memories less rosy than scrubbed Wellingtons, freshly laundered coveralls and starched lab coats. The bad things about large animal practice often involved mud and unseasonable snowfall driven […] Read more


CME June 2023 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Weak pork demand knocks lean hogs to contract lows

June live cattle up; feeder cattle down

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures sank to contract lows on Friday on concerns over anemic U.S. demand for pork, analysts said. The dramatic price decline fueled projections among traders that hog farmers may reduce their herds, after losing money for months on each pig they raise. Farmers are grappling with […] Read more

CME August 2023 feeder cattle with 10-, 20- and 30-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle stumble to three-week low

June live cattle, lean hogs also lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures slumped to their lowest price in more than three weeks on Thursday, while live cattle futures also eased. Traders said the markets were overbought and pressured by technical selling and long liquidation, after feeder cattle set contract highs last month and front-month live cattle futures […] Read more