U.S. livestock: CME live cattle slip before USDA report

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Friday fell modestly as investors tweaked positions before the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle-on-Feed report at 2 p.m. CT, traders said. Analysts expect Friday’s data to show increased cattle placements last month as profitable margins allowed feedlots to bring in more calves for […] Read more

Russia allows U.S. pork imports from Chinese-owned Smithfield

Moscow | Reuters — Russia has allowed U.S. pork imports from two firms of Chinese-owned producer Smithfield Foods after it received additional guarantees, Russia’s veterinary watchdog (VPSS) said on its website. Russia banned most meat imports from the U.S. early last year because of concerns over the use of the feed additive ractopamine. [Related story] […] Read more


B.C. opens up feral pig hunting

Licensed hunters can now harvest feral pigs anywhere, anytime in British Columbia, following the animals’ re-designation under provincial wildlife laws. The province announced an amendment Thursday to its Wildlife Act’s designation and exemption regulation, classifying feral pigs as “schedule C” wildlife, which ranks the hogs alongside magpies and certain squirrels for hunting purposes. The new […] Read more

PEDv numbers rise in U.S. hog herd

Reuters — Confirmed cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) increased by 296 in the week ended March 15, bringing the total number to 4,757, according to data released on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). The U.S. and Canadian hog industries have recently developed partnerships to research what […] Read more


U.S. livestock: Fund selloff undercuts CME live cattle

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Thursday slid after hitting contract highs in early trade, weighed by weaker wholesale beef prices and fund liquidation, traders said. The morning’s wholesale beef price, or cutout, dropped for a second straight day, with choice down $1.10 per hundredweight (cwt) from Wednesday to $242.27. […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME hog futures close mixed after volatile session

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures closed mixed on Wednesday, supported by higher cash hog prices while pressured by sporadic profit-taking, traders said. The morning’s hog price in the closely watched Iowa/Minnesota market rose $2.41 per hundredweight (cwt) to $122.90, surpassing Tuesday’s $121.13 record, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Packers […] Read more


U.S. livestock: CME hog futures gain, but slip from record high

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures closed higher in pit trading on Tuesday but eased from their all-time high as investors took profits while awaiting cash price direction, traders said. In electronic trading, CME April hogs edged upward after the average cost of hogs in the closely-watched Iowa/Minnesota market came in at […] Read more