Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies in degrees Celsius for the week centred on Nov. 24, 2021. Cooler-than-neutral sea surface temperatures at the equator are known to set up a La Nina event. (CPC.ncep.noaa.gov)

Prairie winter weather a sign of La Nina repeat

Full effects won't be seen for a while yet

MarketsFarm — December marks the start of what meteorologists call “meteorological winter” — and this winter, the Pacific Ocean phenomenon known as La Nina may be rearing its head once again. La Nina (Spanish for “little girl”) is a climate pattern detected over the Pacific every few years where cooler water pools at the equator […] Read more

File photo of a pea crop south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Feed peas in short supply

Some feeders substituting soymeal

MarketsFarm — Hot and dry growing conditions cut into Canada’s pea production in 2021-22 — but the quality was relatively good, which means feed peas are in even shorter supply. “Yields were low across the harvest this year, but I’d say quality was quite good on yellow and green peas,” said a feed pea merchant. […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle fall from highs as Omicron rattles markets

Chicago February lean hogs also lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures weakened on Tuesday as worries about the new Omicron coronavirus variant rattled commodity and financial markets. Losses pulled live cattle futures down from contract highs reached in recent sessions. CME lean hog futures also fell, along with U.S. grains and soybeans, after Moderna’s chief cast […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: Cattle post new highs, retreat on profit-taking

Chicago lean hogs close mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose to multi-year highs on Monday but closed lower as profit-taking and technical selling clipped gains, traders said. The spread of a new coronavirus variant sparked demand worries as livestock traders feared renewed restrictions on travel and restaurant occupancy. But strong beef packer margins and […] Read more


CME February 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 futures set new contract highs

February hogs drop to two-week low

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures set new highs on Friday and finished stronger on technical buying and firm cash prices, traders said. The front-month December contract and most-active February 2022 contract avoided losses seen in commodities such as crude oil and soybeans that were unnerved by the discovery of a […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grains remain firm

Transport issues slow U.S. corn flow

MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices in Western Canada remain strong in late November, although looming corn imports from the U.S. should keep a lid on the upside. Feed barley in Alberta is currently topping out at $9.78 per bushel, with feed wheat above $12 in some cases, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Those prices remain […] Read more


CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle hit fresh high

Higher cash values, beef demand support futures

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) live cattle futures rose for a sixth consecutive session on Wednesday, and the front-month contract touched its highest point in four-and-a-half years, on higher cash market prices and strong beef demand. Most contracts posted life-of-contract highs, extending a multi-session rally, amid rising beef imports by China and […] Read more

CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle notch 4-1/2 year high

Lean hogs gain on good demand

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) live cattle futures rose for a fifth consecutive session on Tuesday and the front-month contract reached its highest in 4-1/2-years on a firm cash market and good beef demand. Cattle prices have been trending higher amid rising imports by China and improved domestic demand as more consumers […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Live cattle notch 4-1/2-year high

Lean hogs gain on good demand

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) climbed for a fourth straight session on Monday, with front-month contract hitting a fresh 4-1/2-year high on strong demand. Lean hog futures also firmed, supported by good demand. Lighter-than-normal trading volumes aided livestock futures’ advance on Monday, with little selling pressure ahead […] Read more

CME February 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 for third straight day

December, February hogs lower

Chicago | Reuters — CME Group cattle futures rose for a third day in a row on Friday, with the front-month live cattle contract hitting a fresh 4-1/2-year high on strong cash markets and rising slaughter numbers. Hog futures were weaker on technical selling. CME’s most-active February live cattle contract gained 0.45 cent to 137.7 […] Read more