Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures slumped to a February low on Thursday under pressure from solid U.S. production and weaker cash prices, traders said.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures rallied on Wednesday amid expectations of strength in the cash markets, while lean hog futures faced continued pressure from data showing that U.S. packers are processing a glut of pork, analysts said.
Planting of the spring wheat in the United States continues to be off to an excellent start, according to Tom Lilja of Progressive Ag in Fargo. Meanwhile, the heavy rains that fell as of May 21 are very likely to lead to less corn being seeded with U.S. farmers switching to soybeans.
Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures climbed to a 10-month peak on Wednesday as worries grew about deteriorating harvest prospects in top exporter Russia, before the market turned lower.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures dropped to their lowest level since February under pressure from solid U.S. production on Tuesday, while live cattle futures reached their highest price since March, analysts said.
Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures Wv1 reached their highest level since July on Tuesday as frost damage in top-exporter Russia and lower U.S. crop ratings supported prices, traders said.
For the week ending May 18, Western Canadian yearling markets were trading $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were relatively unchanged compared to the prior week. The feeder market appears to be consolidating near historical highs.
Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures dropped on Friday after a crop tour through Kansas this week projected better-than-average yields in the top U.S. winter wheat state, analysts said.
Wholesale beef prices have jumped this week as retailers and meat processors look ahead to the Memorial Day weekend at the end of the month. The holiday is considered the start of the peak grilling season for products like steaks and hamburgers.
Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures ended mixed on Thursday as renewed worries about major flooding in southern Brazil offset data indicating lower demand for soy from U.S. processors, analysts said.