Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished mixed on Wednesday stirred by profit-taking and positioning before the sale of cash cattle as early as Thursday, traders said. Spot October closed 0.275 cent/lb. lower at 139.975, and December down 0.025 cent to 143.15 (all figures US$). February and April closed up 0.275 […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end mixed, hogs weaker

U.S. livestock: Higher beef prices extend CME live cattle advances
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures landed in positive territory for a third day in a row on Tuesday, driven by upward-trending wholesale beef values that may bode well for cash prices later this week, traders said. Spot October closed 1.975 cents/lb. higher at 140.25, and December up 1.525 cents, to […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle up again as beef quotes rise
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended higher for a second straight session Monday, supported by the morning’s wholesale beef price increase, traders said. Spot October closed 2.325 cents/lb. higher at 138.275, and December up 2.225 cents to 141.65 (all figures US$). Monday morning’s wholesale choice beef price, or cutout, climbed […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle limit up on strong cash prices
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures climbed sharply on Friday, with October settling up the three cents per pound daily price limit, ignited by short-covering after initial cash prices beat expectations. Spot October closed at 135.95 cents/lb. and December rose 2.875 cents, to 139.425 (all figures US$). Live cattle’s trading limit […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cash price caution undercuts CME live cattle
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished lower on Thursday after traders took profits while waiting for this week’s cash cattle trade to develop, traders said. Spot October closed 0.8 cent/lb. lower at 132.95 cents, and December down 0.875 cent, to 136.55 (all figures US$). “It was a quiet day with […] Read more

Hog supplies grow as U.S. hog weights rise seasonally
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. hog weights have risen three times in as many weeks, likely confirming the onset of increasing hog numbers through the rest of the year, according to a university economist. Affordable feed and cooler weather in the Midwest are allowing hogs to grow faster, coinciding with plentiful supplies as the industry […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Higher cash price outlook lifts CME live cattle
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures gained on Wednesday, supported by rising wholesale beef values that could help strengthen cash prices as early as Thursday, traders said. Spot October closed 1.325 cents/lb. higher at 133.75 cents, and December up 0.225 cent to 137.425 (all figures US$). Wednesday afternoon’s wholesale choice beef […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle finish mostly weak
Chicago | Reuters –– Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts ended moderately lower on Tuesday, with October helped by the upturn in wholesale beef prices and anticipation of higher cash prices later in the week, traders said. But, they said, profit-taking and uneasiness about cattle supplies in the coming months pressured remaining CME live […] Read more

PM Beef to shut Minnesota plant, cites tight cattle supply
Reuters — PM Beef will close its southwestern Minnesota beef processing plant on Dec. 11, due to tight cattle supplies, the company said Tuesday. The company announced the Windom plant’s closure to employees and owners during meetings Monday, according to local media. Prices for slaughter cattle last year hit record highs in the wake of […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle move up with beef quotes
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Monday, strengthened by short-covering following the morning’s wholesale beef price bounce, traders said. Spot October finished 1.15 cents/lb. higher at 131.925 cents, and December up 0.25 cent to 137.575 (all figures US$). Monday morning’s wholesale choice beef price, or cutout, climbed $1.32/cwt […] Read more