CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (pink line) and June 2022 live cattle (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle mixed on uncertain consumer demand

Export strength supports lean hogs

Indianapolis | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were mixed on Thursday, with nearby contracts firming, while the most-active cattle futures eased pressured by inflationary concerns, though markets remain underpinned by tight cattle supplies across much of the U.S. Plains, analysts said. “The weakness comes from the uncertainty of the economy – how […] Read more

CME August 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 as cash markets surge

Firm cash prices also supportive in hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures jumped two per cent on Wednesday, lifted by rising prices for market-ready cattle in the cash market, traders said. Cash cattle traded in Nebraska at around $145 per hundredweight, traders said, up $2-$4 from last week and significantly higher than nearby futures prices (all figures […] Read more


CME June 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 bounce back on bargain buying

July hogs touch six-day high, end lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished higher on Tuesday in a rebound from recent losses, brokers said. However, concerns about the risk of beef demand falling due to U.S. inflation continued to hang over the market, analysts said. They warn rising prices may increasingly push consumers to eat cheaper food […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Rains enhance demand for grass cattle

Deferred cattle futures showing strength

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged; steer calves under 700 lbs. were steady to $2 higher on average; heifer calves were steady to $5 higher. Southern Alberta, along with the western half of Alberta, received 30-40 mm of rain over the week which enhanced demand for […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: CME cattle tumble on worries of waning demand

Hogs up off recent lows

Chicago | Reuters — Concerns about red-hot U.S. inflation knocked down Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle and feeder cattle futures on Monday, as rising prices threaten beef demand, analysts said. Demand is most at risk for expensive steaks and other pricey cuts as some consumers shift to buying cheaper items, analysts said. U.S. consumer prices […] Read more

CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and 100-day moving average (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures down in turnaround from rallies

July lean hogs close higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Friday on profit-taking, a session after prices reached multi-week highs, brokers said. The market was due to pull back after climbing six per cent since dropping on May 31 to their lowest price since October, brokers said. Strong demand from packers for a […] Read more


File photo of raw and cooked ground beef. (Lime and Lemon Media photo via Canada Beef Inc.)

Beef sector calls for Health Canada label exception

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association wants ground beef exempted from proposed rules

The cattle sector is less than pleased by a Health Canada proposal that would put a ‘high saturated fat’ label on retail ground beef. The proposal is part of a suite of changes proposed for Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations. As well as adding a front-of-packaging (FOP) label requirement for foods deemed by Health Canada […] Read more

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

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures consolidate near peaks

Chicago hog futures fall

Chicago | Reuters — CME Group cattle futures stabilized near recent highs on Thursday, with strong cash markets and a round of speculative buying underpinning prices. Hog futures fell as the soybean futures market rallied to its highest in nearly 10 years, raising the prospect of higher feed costs. The U.S. Agriculture Department said on […] Read more


CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and 200-day moving average (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally on concerns about supplies

July lean hogs turn lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rallied on Wednesday, supported by technical buying and signs of tightening supplies in the cash market, traders said. On a continuous basis, the front-month fed cattle contract hit its highest since November 2015. Live cattle hit a six-week high. Hog futures ended weaker, giving up early […] Read more