The U.S. and Canadian beef cow herds remain in a contraction phase which is driving record beef market prices, analyst Jerry Klassen says.
Tag Archives cattle futures
Beef cattle market continues to set records
The Markets: The U.S. and Canadian cow herds remain in a contraction phase
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures climb as U.S. herd remains small
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures turned higher on Friday, as traders anticipated U.S. government reports would show tight cattle supplies. After the market closed, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that the nation’s cattle herd was 94.2 million head as of July 1, a record low for that date. In a separate report, USDA […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Prices push upward; boxed beef slips back
Boxed beef slips back
Live and fed cattle futures and those for lean hogs on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were higher on Friday.
U.S. livestock: Losses for cattle, upswing in hog prices
Live and fed cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were lower on Thursday, while those for lean hogs were higher. The June live cattle contract retreated 3.175 cents at 195.200 cents per pound. May feeder cattle futures dropped 2.900 cents at 275.300 cents per pound. The USDA reported wholesale boxed beef prices were lower […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Closing higher after Trump announces tariff pause
But boosts duties on China to 125 per cent
Live and fed cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were stronger on Wednesday, after United States President Donald Trump announced he will pause his reciprocal tariffs for 90 days. Trump said the suspension of the levies comes as more than 75 countries were set to negotiate trade with the U.S. or had not taken […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Tariffs pull down beef, pork
Export sales, monthly census reports issued
Live and fed cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were lower on Thursday, following the trend in most North American futures and stock markets. The downturn came after United States President Donald Trump announced his wide-ranging reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued its export sales report for the week […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures mixed Tuesday
Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were mixed on Tuesday, seeing continued strength in the front months at the close while edging lower in the more deferred contracts.
Klassen: Feeder cattle market jumps back to historical highs
For the week ending March 15, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $8-$12 higher compared to seven days earlier. Prices fully recovered from the prior week with values quoted at or near historical highs. Finishing feedlots were aggressive across all weight categories due to strength in the nearby and deferred live cattle futures. Once again, […] Read more
Tighter fed cattle supplies projected for second quarter
The Markets: The trend has been toward fewer cattle in feedlots across North America in late 2024
At the time of writing this article, April 2025 live cattle futures were trading just above $197, which was a fresh contract high. The market appears to be incorporating a risk premium due to uncertainty in beef production in both Canada and the U.S. This has provided Alberta feedlot operators opportunities to lock in favourable […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle mixed, hogs higher
Strong export sales for cattle, hogs
Live and fed cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange dropped back on Thursday, despite strong export sales. The United States Department of Agriculture reported export sales of 24,907 tonnes for the week ended Jan. 30. That’s up 23.5 per cent from the previous week and the most since August. The April live cattle contract […] Read more
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