CME December 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle climb on cash market optimism

CME lean hogs slip on cash market pessimism

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended higher on Friday on expectations of higher cash cattle prices next week and position-squaring ahead of a long U.S. holiday weekend, traders said. Benchmark CME October live cattle futures settled up 1.75 cents at 144.55 cents/lb., with December up 1.675 cents at 150.25 cents […] Read more


CME October 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines), (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures up as corn prices sag

CME lean hogs end mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled mostly higher on Thursday as lower grain prices propped up feeder cattle futures, signaling cheaper feed costs, traders said. Benchmark CME October live cattle futures settled up 0.225 cent at 142.8 cents/lb., a day after dipping to a four-week low (all figures US$). CME […] Read more

Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices start moving upward

New-crop barley already en route to feedlots

MarketsFarm — Hot temperatures and a lack of precipitation in recent days are helping Alberta growers make significant progress, according to Lethbridge-based Market Place Commodities’ president Jim Beusekom. “In southern Alberta, (the harvest) is doing just fine,” he said. “We had some rain last week. Some (had) more, some less. Last week limited how much […] Read more


CME October 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks, right column) with 20-day moving average (pink line) and CME’s cash lean hog index (black line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hog futures follow cash hogs lower

Live cattle down, feeder cattle mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell on Wednesday on profit-taking after a two-session climb and pressure from softening cash hog prices, traders said. CME benchmark October lean hogs settled down 2.075 cents at 91.525 cents/lb. and December hogs ended down 1.625 cents at 83.875 cents/lb. The CME Lean Hog Index, […] Read more

CME October 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures climb on bargain-buying

CME lean hogs also higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose on Tuesday on bargain-buying, a day after the October contract hit a 3-1/2 week low, traders said. A setback in prices for corn, a key feedgrain, added support. But rallies were capped by broad declines in commodities, including crude oil, and Wall Street equity […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder markets digest StatCan data

Barley crop expected up 34 per cent on year

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher. Yearling prices have strengthened by $8-$10 over the past four weeks. Calf values were relatively unchanged but the market was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying on a dressed basis from $300 to $302 delivered, up $1-$2 […] Read more

CME October 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures soften amid recession fears

CME lean hogs close higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle and feeder cattle futures weakened on Monday amid spillover pressure from weakness in equity markets, analysts said. U.S. stocks closed lower, adding to sharp losses last week, on nagging concerns about the Federal Reserve’s determination to hike interest rates to fight inflation even as the economy […] Read more


CME October 2022 feeder cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle weaken as grain prices climb

Chicago lean hogs end mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures declined on Friday as a spike in crop prices signaled higher costs for livestock feed, brokers said. Grain and soybean futures rallied at the Chicago Board of Trade on concerns that unfavourable heat and dryness in the U.S. Midwest will limit yields in the upcoming […] Read more

File photo of a sunrise over an Alberta barley crop. (MNphotography/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley harvest begins in Alberta

Prices continue easing

MarketsFarm — The barley harvest has already started in Alberta and prices continue to ease downward, according to one trader. “Around Lethbridge, they seem to have a good portion done,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “Some areas in the north are starting, as well. The Edmonton area, Red […] Read more