Cow-calf producers will want to prepare a breeder mineral program to be fed to beef cows during breeding season, then be ready to modify that program afterward based on actual grass conditions.
Cow-calf
Good mineral-vitamin programs for beef cows drive successful reproduction
Better Bunks and Pastures: A breeder mineral is critical for beef cows during the breeding season
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures fall
Chicago cattle and hog futures fell for the second day running ahead of Friday’s cattle on feed report. Most-active December live cattle closed at 232.675 cents a pound, down 2.475 cents. October contracts settled at 231.100 cents a pound, down 2.350 cents. Most-traded October feeder cattle futures closed at 349.125 cents per pound, a loss […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle and hog futures slide
Chicago cattle and hog futures slid on Tuesday as economic data showed signs of slowing U.S. household spending. Most-active December live cattle closed at 235.150 cents a pound, down 1.125 cents. October contracts settled at 233.450 cents per pound, down 1.150 cents. Most-traded October feeder cattle futures settled at 354.300 cents a pound, down 0.200 […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market eyes deferred live cattle futures
For the week ending September 13, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. The April 2026 live cattle futures ended the week at $233, down $10 from the contract highs. Nearby feedlot margins remain favorable; however, profitability in the deferred positions has evaporated given the weakness in the deferred […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally, hogs rise
Chicago cattle futures rallied on Monday following losses in the previous trading session. Hogs also rose. Most-active December live cattle contracts closed at 236.275 cents a pound, up 4.350 cents. October live cattle settled at 234.600 cents a pound, up 4.625 cents. Most-traded October feeder cattle futures settled at 354.500 cents a pound, up 8.700 […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures fall on expectations of US agriculture secretary announcement
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures fell on investor expectations that U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins might announce a re-opening of the border with Mexico for cattle imports in a speech in Oklahoma on Friday. The U.S. is currently closed to cattle imports from Mexico because of an infestation south of the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures bounce on short covering
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures ticked higher on Thursday on a short-covering bounce, though a weaker cash market and concerns around consumer demand for beef continued to weigh on the market. Cattle futures also benefited from rising grains futures, which steadied ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly supply and […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle make gains, hogs mixed
Most Chicago cattle futures rose on Wednesday after Tuesday’s hard fall. Hogs settled on either side of unchanged. Most-active October live cattle futures closed at 231.150 cents per pound, up 0.975 cents. December contracts settled at 232.675 cents a pound, up 1.500 cents. Nearby feeder cattle futures rose, while deferred contracts lost steam. Most-traded October […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle drop sharply, hogs mixed
Chicago cattle futures fell on Tuesday on a hefty technical correction. “I think that’s what we’re seeing now. A correction,” wrote analyst Jefferson Fosse with Walsh Trading. Most-active October live cattle contracts closed at 230.175 cents a pound, down 5.625 cents. December contracts closed down 6.400 cents to 231.175 cents per pound. The market has […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market consolidates at historical highs
For the week ending September 6, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $525/cwt, up $15/cwt from a week earlier. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $315/cwt. Current breakeven pen closeout […] Read more