U.S. livestock: Cattle continue downward, hogs turnaround

U.S.,China impose tariffs on each other

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Published: February 4, 2025

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Live and fed cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were lower on Tuesday as the selloff continued.

A report said the managed funds were liquidating their long positions.

The dust-up over the United States imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico was settled for now, with the countries agreeing to a 30-day delay. However, the Trump administration pressed ahead with tariffs on China and the latter countered with their own levies.

The April live cattle contract closed below 200 cents, as it gave up 1.500 cents per pound at 198.650 cents.

March feeder cattle futures was down 2.250 cents per pound at 268.250 cents per pound.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported wholesale boxed beef prices were lower Tuesday afternoon, with choice boxes stepping back $1.26 at $330.73 per hundredweight and select boxes down $2.43 at $317.41.

Lean hog prices turned around on Tuesday from yesterday’s limit-down loss that was due to the U.S. tariff threat to Canada and Mexico. Today, the April contract climbed 3.400 cents per pound at 89.750 cents as pork was omitted from China’s new tariffs on the U.S.

About the author

Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm

Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm

Reporter

Glen Hallick grew up in rural Manitoba near Starbuck, where his family farmed. Glen has a degree in political studies from the University of Manitoba and studied creative communications at Red River College. Before joining Glacier FarmMedia, Glen was an award-winning reporter and editor with several community newspapers and group editor for the Interlake Publishing Group. Glen is an avid history buff and enjoys following politics.

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