CME August 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20- and 50-day moving averages (pink, black lines) and August 2021 live cattle (red open/high/low/close). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs ease on profit-taking

Cash prices, corn values drag on cattle futures

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures settled mostly lower on Wednesday, as investors took profits after some nearby contracts scaled the highest levels in years during the session on strong cash hog and pork prices. Cash hog prices remained firm while pork values hovered near the highest in almost seven years,

CME July 2021 lean hogs with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs up as pork prices rise, corn tumbles

Corn's decline also feeder cattle's gain

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rebounded from the prior day’s losses on Tuesday on stronger cash pork prices and a weaker dollar, and as corn feed values fell sharply. Feeder cattle contracts also posted strong gains as benchmark corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade plunged more than five


Summer pneumonia can affect calves as early as three to four weeks old to three to five months of age.

Summer pneumonia in calves a concern

The younger animals are susceptible as the ‘passive immunity’ from their mother’s colostrum begins to fade

Dead or sick calves are a scenario that is reported every year in a number of beef herds in the northern Plains. “A list of all possible causes for this case can be very confusing to producers,” says Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist. “However, depressed, feverish calves with

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market heating up

Wholesale beef prices climbing

Compared to last week, quality yearling packages were $2-$5 higher while calf values were unchanged to $2 higher. A surge in buying interest surfaced for yearlings last week as fed cattle prices continue to trade near 52-week highs. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $162-$165 delivered and breakeven pen closeouts are


CME August 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (red line) and July 2021 lean hogs (pink open/high/low/close). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures sink as on-feed supply tops estimates

Profit-taking drags on hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures retreated on Monday after U.S. government data showed supplies in feedlots above trade expectations and as some traders worried about demand for beef. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said late on Friday that May 1 on-feed cattle supplies stood at 105 per cent of

CME July 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and August 2021 live cattle (red open/high/low/close). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rally to highest since August 2014

USDA's latest cattle count beats forecasts

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures rallied on Friday to their highest in nearly seven years, with strong demand outstripping supplies on hand as restaurants around the U.S. have been reopening after COVID-19 shutdowns, traders said. “We are seeing strong retail demand, with the food service trying to recapture their share of


Weather, slaughter market warming up

Weather, slaughter market warming up

A continued dry spell could boost demand for sales

Fewer cattle went through the rings at Manitoba auction sites during the week ending May 13, but the slaughter market is seeing higher numbers as the mercury rises. With temperatures hovering around 20 C across southern Manitoba in the midst of dry conditions, more producers chose to sell butcher cattle earlier than expected. At least 610 were sold during

CME August 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (red line) and CBOT July 2021 corn (yellow line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures up with cash markets

Boxed beef, select cuts priced at one-year highs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog and cattle futures rose on Wednesday, with the market underpinned by strength in the cash markets. Prices for the cattle contracts hit their highest in nearly a week, but closed off their session peaks as the corn market recovered from sharp declines. The early weakness in corn


CME June 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (pink line) and June 2021 live cattle (red high/low/close). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rally on technical bounce

June live cattle up, August feeders down

Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures rallied on Tuesday, rising 1.8 per cent on a technical bounce after three straight days of declines pushed prices to their lowest since April 30, traders said. Concerns about a tightening of supplies during grilling season added support. “We are still watching weekly hog slaughter rates,” said Rich