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


CBOT November 2020 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybean futures hit 2018 highs as supplies tighten

USDA cuts domestic soy ending stocks; traders expect more demand from China

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures surged to their highest prices since March 2018 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday said inventories will dwindle to a five-year low. Corn futures advanced to a one-year high, while wheat futures slumped in a setback from a five-year high reached on Thursday. […] Read more



CBOT December 2020 wheat with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: CBOT wheat falls after hitting highest since 2015

Chicago corn, soybean futures ease

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures dropped 1.9 per cent on Thursday, falling from their highest in more than five years, as traders locked in profits ahead of a key U.S. government report. Soybeans and corn also eased from recent peaks but losses were kept in check by strong export demand. […] 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


U.S. grains: Wheat, soy futures hit multi-year highs

U.S. grains: Wheat, soy futures hit multi-year highs

Dry weather in U.S., Russia, Argentina supports wheat prices; soybeans, corn rise as Brazil also dry for planting

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat and soybean futures soared to multi-year highs on Wednesday as unfavourable weather threatened production in exporting countries. Dryness has raised concerns among traders about the prospects for wheat planting in the U.S. Plains and the Black Sea region and for soybean planting in Brazil. Weather in the southern U.S. […] Read more

CBOT December 2020 wheat with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Dry weather pushes CBOT wheat, soy to multi-year peaks

Chicago corn also rallies

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat and soybean futures jumped to multi-year highs on Tuesday, supported by concerns about dry weather in key production areas, traders said. Corn futures hit their highest level in 8-1/2 months, joining in the rally as the U.S. harvest pace fell below expectations despite ideal weather for field work. But […] 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