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U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures rise after U.S. cuts beef production forecasts

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rose on Thursday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture reduced its forecasts for domestic beef production. The agency, in a monthly report, trimmed its estimate for 2021 U.S. beef production by 0.1 percent from July to 26.965 billion pounds due to lighter expected carcass weights. The production forecast […] Read more

(Darcy Maulsby/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs end mostly higher on bargain buying, cattle drift lower

Chicago | Reuters – Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed mostly higher on Wednesday as bargain-buying and firmer wholesale pork prices helped the benchmark October contract rebound from a one-month low set a day earlier. CME October lean hogs settled up 1.975 cents at 85.850 cents per pound and December hogs rose […] Read more


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U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures rise as beef prices climb; hogs end lower

Chicago | Reuters – Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed higher on Tuesday, lifted by surging beef prices and rising packer margins that fueled expectations of firmer cash cattle prices this week, traders said. CME October live cattle settled up 0.650 cent at 128.125 cents per pound, while September feeder cattle futures […] Read more

Additional details will be shared with Manitoba producers as programs are developed and become available.

Manitoba pledges $62 million for AgriRecovery

Drought situation has been ‘extremely stressful and challenging’ for cattle producers, says MBP president

The Manitoba government will invest $62 million in programs for drought-stricken farmers under the AgriRecovery framework ag minister Ralph Eichler announced Aug. 10. “Without additional investment, producers are in the very difficult position of having to consider reducing their herds or leaving the industry altogether,” said Eichler in a news release. “Our government is making […] Read more


calf on pasture

Klassen: Yearlings hold value while calves remain under pressure

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves were once again $2 to $4 lower. Featherlight bawlers were down $4 to as much as $8 from week-ago levels. The tight feed grain supply situation continues to set the price structure for feeder cattle. Yearlings straight off grass held a slight […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hog futures tumble on uncertain pork demand

Chicago | Reuters – Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell sharply on Monday, with the benchmark October contract down its daily limit on worries about a seasonal increase in hog supplies and uncertain demand for U.S. pork, analysts said. CME October hog futures settled down 3 cents at 84.600 cents per pound, […] Read more


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Feed weekly outlook: DDGs becoming another feed option

MarketsFarm – As traditional feed grains such as barley and wheat become more expensive due to persistent drought-like conditions in the Prairies, many feedlots are using alternative sources of feed for their animals. Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGs), the grain by-products which remain after starch has been fermented through the making of alcohol or […] Read more

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Cargill, Continental Grain to buy chicken producer Sanderson Farms for $4.5 bln

Reuters – Commodities trader Cargill Inc and agricultural investor Continental Grain Co will buy chicken producer Sanderson Farms Inc for $4.53 billion, the companies said on Monday, at a time when meat prices have been soaring due to strong demand. The deal would see Sanderson Farms, the third-largest poultry producer in the United States, join […] Read more


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U.S. livestock: Live cattle firms on improved cash, holiday demand

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures climbed on Friday, supported by elevated cash cattle trade and stronger wholesale beef prices, analysts said. “I think it’s a combination of things, including packers trying to get beef into the pipeline before the Labor day features,” said Alan Brugler, president of Brugler Marketing. “Cash […] Read more

Cows in a holding pen

Deteriorating pastures, feed concerns sees early push of cattle to market

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the August 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fed cattle The Alberta fed cattle market moved seasonally lower through July. Lower cut-out values and increasing front-end supply pushed the fed steer average in Alberta to $152.19/cwt on July 16, down $12.53/cwt from five weeks earlier. Looking at a five-year average, the July 2021 average is $9/cwt higher.  While basis levels in Alberta have […] Read more