Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange eased on Tuesday on softer holiday demand, after climbing to three-week highs a day prior due to tighter-than-expected cattle supplies, traders said. “With a short week, you won’t have to have as aggressive a cash trade to fill out the packer needs for […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle, lean hogs ease
Cold storage adds versus year-earlier
Klassen: Stronger deferred live cattle futures support feeder market
Fall run seen moving into final stages
Compared to last week, western Canadian calf markets traded $5 lower to as much as $3 higher. Quality groups of heifers weighing 550-700 lbs. were notably $2-$3 higher and this was largely due to lower supplies of steers. Weather conditions improved in southern Alberta, which was supportive; however, buyers were cautious. Quality pre-conditioned calves held […] Read more
Ontario seeking new rules on scope of vet services
Changes also considered to veterinary sector oversight
Updated Nov. 23 — Ontario’s government is considering new legislation to more clearly spell out who can provide what kinds of animal care in the province’s veterinary sector. The provincial ag ministry on Monday launched a round of public consultation on the Veterinarians Act, which governs licensing of veterinarians and accreditation of veterinary facilities in […] Read more
Cargill names new CEO
Former proteins boss to lead firm
Reuters — Cargill Inc. said on Monday Brian Sikes will take over as the global commodities trader’s new president and CEO effective Jan. 1. Sikes will succeed Dave MacLennan, who has served as Cargill’s CEO and chairman since 2013. MacLennan will now assume the role of executive chair of Cargill’s board of directors and will […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, wheat ease on firm U.S. dollar, export concerns
U.S. rail union votes against tentative contract deal
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade grain futures eased on Monday as a stronger dollar and worries about U.S. exports weighed on prices, analysts said. The dollar advanced against most major currencies, making U.S. commodities look less attractive to importers, as tightened COVID-19 rules in China fuelled worries over the global economic outlook. […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle top three-week high on supply worries
Lean hog futures up with slaughter pace
Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures exceeded a three-week high at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Monday on worries about tightening U.S. supplies, while feeder cattle futures set a two-month high. Traders focused on a monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture report, issued after the market closed on Friday, that showed cattle placements into feedlots […] Read more
AAFC report sees another series of tweaks
MarketsFarm — As expected, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) avoided making any major revisions to its November supply and demand estimates, waiting until Statistics Canada issues its next production report on Dec. 2. AAFC released its latest monthly report late Friday afternoon. While AAFC tweaked its November supply and demand estimates from October, most of […] Read more
Biggest U.S. rail union rejects tentative deal, raising threat of strike
Union digs in on paid sick time
Washington/Los Angeles | Reuters — Workers at the largest U.S. rail union voted against a tentative contract deal reached in September, raising the possibility of a year-end strike that could cause significant damage to the U.S. economy and strand vital shipments of food and fuel. Train and engine service members of the transportation division of […] Read more
Feds pledge agriculture office for Indo-Pacific export support
Ottawa aims to tighten ties with region
Updated Nov. 23 — Canada’s latest round of federal efforts to boost economic ties with the Indo-Pacific region will include its first dedicated agriculture and agri-food office in the region. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tour through the region last week included a pledge of $31.8 million over five years for a regional agriculture office, to […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle up on firm cash, speculative buying
February lean hogs end lower
Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) hit the highest in nearly three weeks on Friday, supported by firm cash cattle markets and what appeared to be speculative buying, analysts said. Most-active CME February live cattle futures settled up 0.45 cent at 155.85 cents/lb. after reaching 156.125 cents, the […] Read more
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