CME December 2020 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures retreat from 11-month high

Cattle futures down on beef demand uncertainty

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures ended lower on Friday on profit-taking and disappointment over export demand, after prices climbed to the highest level in 11 months. Strong domestic demand for pork continues to underpin hog futures, analysts said, with the most-active December contract surging 39 per cent on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange […] Read more

CME December 2020 lean hogs with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures climb to more than 10-month high

Live cattle lower on new lockdown concerns for beef demand

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures on Thursday soared to their highest prices in more than 10 months, as meat demand continued to strain processor capacity and COVID-19 cases are rising in the United States, traders said. Thursday’s daily U.S. hog slaughter was 490,000 head — 2,000 fewer than the same period last […] Read more


CME December 2020 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs up on lower-than-expected inventory

CME live cattle follow cash cattle lower

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures climbed on Wednesday as traders grappled with mounting confusion on lower-than-expected slaughter rates, traders said. Wednesday’s daily U.S. hog slaughter was 489,000 head — or 2,000 fewer than the same period last year, according to data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the week to […] Read more

CME December 2020 live cattle with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rebound on wholesale strength

Softening cash market drags on hog futures

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures rebounded on Tuesday, correcting after the biggest drop since June 30, amid a stronger wholesale market, traders said. Lean hogs stepped back for a second day, reflecting a softer cash market, while feeder cattle followed the cash market higher. Chicago Mercantile Exchange December live cattle futures added […] Read more


CME December 2020 live cattle with 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Futures slip on seasonal pressure

Slaughter backlogs remain a drag on live cattle

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell on Monday, pressured by a softening in seasonal demand and the continued impact from backlogs at slaughterhouses, traders said. Lean hogs also eased on profit taking, while feeder cattle also followed live cattle for a loss. CME October live cattle futures fell 1.525 cents, to 108.35 […] Read more

CME December 2020 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Domestic demand boosts hog futures

Feed grain prices drag on feeder cattle

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures leapt to their highest price since May 2019 on Friday on strong domestic demand for pork, while feeder cattle futures tumbled to a three-month low. Gains in the swine market extend a rally driven by rising cash prices for hogs and demand from consumers. “Domestic demand has been […] Read more



CME October 2020 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures up on pork demand, cash prices

November feeder cattle touch lowest level since July 2

Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. hog futures extended gains on Wednesday and the front-month contract reached its highest price in about a year due to strength in the cash market, traders said. Solid pork demand has underpinned cash prices in the face of large hog supplies. The U.S. pork cutout, an indication of wholesale pork […] Read more


(Regis Lefebure photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: Cash market strength boosts hog futures

Cash cattle values also boost live cattle

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures rose to their highest in more than a year on Tuesday, rallying to keep pace with recent gains in the cash market. The cash market strength stemmed from continued good demand even as the traditional U.S. grilling season draws to a close with the weather turning cooler. “There’s […] Read more

CME December 2020 live cattle with 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise on strong cash markets

U.S. packers seen dialing up slaughter pace

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle and lean hog futures advanced on Monday on expectations that cash prices will remain firm, analysts said. Cash cattle prices are expected to rise $1-$2/cwt this week as packers ramp up slaughtering, said Brian Hoops, president of broker Midwest Market Solutions (all figures US$). Fat cattle last week […] Read more