U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures retreat as Wall Street dips, feed costs rise

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. cattle futures retreated on Tuesday after hitting a near three-month high in the previous session as rising feed costs and a downturn in equities markets triggered selling. Cattle futures have firmed in recent days as hopes for an economic stimulus deal in Washington overshadowed worries about restaurant closures and travel […] Read more

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U.S. grains: Soybeans rally as earlier slide leads to new buying

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago soybean futures soared to new highs on Tuesday as traders shrugged off short-term pressure from promising labor negotiations in Argentina. Corn followed soybeans higher on export optimism, while wheat rose after two days of losses. Despite starting the day trending lower, the most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of […] Read more


The China Meat Association is raising concerns that food packaging contaminated with COVID-19 could lead to increased human infection.  Photo: E+/Getty Images

China meat assoc calls for exporters to disinfect shipments to prevent COVID-19

Beijing | Reuters – Chinese meat importers and processors have called on exporters in countries with COVID-19 outbreaks to step up checks on shipments before they are sent to the world’s biggest market, the country’s top industry group said. “China has been importing a large quantity of meats this year, and has detected virus on […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Lighter calves end year on positive tone

Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 lower to $3 higher depending on the region. Many auction markets were in holiday mode last week and thinner volumes made the market harder to define. Generally speaking, the market was supported by stronger deferred live cattle futures and a slightly weaker Canadian dollar; […] Read more


Photo: Reuters/Ben Nelms/File

Loading of more than 140 grains ships in Argentina delayed due to strike

Buenos Aires | Reuters – Loading of more than 140 agricultural export ships in Argentina has been stalled by a port-side oilseed workers’ strike that started on Dec. 9, the head of the local chamber of soymeal manufacturers said on Monday, on the eve of talks on a new contract. The CIARA-CEC chamber of soy byproduct […] Read more

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U.S. grains: Soybeans add new highs on Argentine supply disruptions

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago soybeans climbed for a sixth consecutive day as a labor strike in Argentina stalls through the Christmas holiday, curbing global supply. Corn rose for a 10th consecutive session, supported by prolonged South American dryness that could hurt harvest prospects. Wheat slipped on holiday profit-taking, but held near two-month highs. The […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures hit six-week high; hog futures ease after rally

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. cattle futures rose for the sixth time in seven sessions on Thursday, hitting a six-week high on signs of strength in the cash market, traders said. Hog futures eased after four straight days of gains pushed the front-month contract to its highest in nearly two months on Wednesday. Volumes were […] Read more

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Biden transition team holds talks with biofuel groups -sources

New York | Reuters – U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team has held calls with biofuel groups on topics including compliance with U.S. biofuel blending laws and Biden’s low-carbon climate vision, according to two sources familiar with the conversations. The discussions with biofuel trade groups as well as POET, a top company in the cellulosic […] Read more



Photo(s): Greg Berg

ICE weekly outlook: Canola, soybeans – keep an eye on South America

MarketsFarm – After canola incurred six consecutive sessions of gains in which new contract highs were reached, the Canadian oilseed took a bit of tumble on the Intercontinental Exchange. Such is a sample of the volatility in the market during the holidays. Keith Ferley, a trader with RBC Dominion Securities in Winnipeg, Man., suggested there […] Read more