Live Cattle: Live Cattle futures ended the day lower in all contracts except the nearby June which will expire on Tuesday. Lack of cash trade up to this point in the week along with end of the week profit taking kept pressure on the futures most of the day. Cash trade has yet to develop in the South but cattle have traded in the North at 260 today. Boxed beef was quoted lower this morning and has erased all the gains from the beginning of the week. Choice is currently at $392.10, down $4.22 on the day and select was $2.33 lower at $372.41. Choice was over $400 earlier this week and has been multiple times during 2026, but is always met with resistance and then prices work lower for a few weeks. Today’s CFTC Report showed the managed money as buyers of 1,676 contracts on the week, increasing their net long position to 126,025 contracts. This week’s estimated slaughter is 537,000 head which was 11,000 head more than a week ago and higher than estimates for the week. This could be due to the holiday shortened week next week and packers trying to keep meat stocked. Steer and heifer carcass weights were down two pounds for the week ending June 13, and are now at the lowest levels of the year, but 36 pounds larger than a year ago. Carcass weights typically bottom in the middle of June and then climb higher into the end of the year. Forecasts show heat setting in across most cattle feeding regions over the next few weeks which will keep weight off of cattle that are nearing slaughter.
Feeder Cattle: August Feeder Cattle futures traded within $2.050 of the contract high that was set at the beginning of May but could not hold those gains heading into the weekend. Cheaper feed and high demand for Feeder Cattle along with increased Live Cattle prices have caused cash Feeder Cattle to again move to record levels. The CME Feeder Cattle index posted a new all-time high on Thursday of $381.86 which was up $6.03 on the day for Wednesday’s sales. This is an increase of $22.65 since June 4 and $14.80 compared to a week ago. The old record was $379.09 and was set in the middle of April this year. Open interest continues to grow slightly but is still well below year ago levels. Last week, the futures were at a premium to the CME Feeder Cattle index but with the sharp increase in cash prices the futures are again at a discount. Currently, the CME Feeder Cattle index is $12.01 above the nearby August contract.
Lean Hogs: Lean Hog futures finished the day higher in all contracts except the August as the complex found support from yesterday’s Hogs and Pigs Report. All hogs and pigs are unchanged from a year ago which was a percent lower than the pre-report estimates. The hogs and pigs inventory has remained steady for the past five years after the reduction the industry saw following 2020. Hogs kept for breeding were down 1.2% compared to a year ago and are now at the lowest levels since 2014. Pigs per litter for the months of March, April, and May 2026 averaged 11.87 compared to 11.75 in 2025. The pork cutout was $1.36 higher yesterday afternoon and is currently quoted at $95.22. Since falling below $100 at the beginning of June, the cutout has held in the mid $90s for the rest of the month. The August contract has traded through the 20-day MA each of the past four days but has yet been able to settle above the line. A settlement above this line would help the technical picture and help support prices. Today’s CFTC Report showed the managed money as sellers of 4,601 contracts, increasing their net short position to 25,560 contracts, just 5,500 away from the all-time record short position.
Corn: New crop Corn futures lost 4 3/4 cents this week while soybean futures gained 13 1/2 cents. Crude oil continued its move lower into the end of the week with the August contract closing at 69.35, near pre-Iran war levels. Widespread rains across much of the Cornbelt this week will be followed by increased heat next week which will create favorable growing conditions across much of the U.S. corn acres. Next Tuesday, the USDA will be releasing their June Acreage Report at 11:00 a.m. Estimates are for Corn acres to be down .35 million acres and soybean acres up .669 million from the March 31 Prospective Planting Report. Traders will be watching that report closely for any surprises. If there are no big changes within this report the focus will turn back to growing conditions during the months of July and August. The funds were sellers of corn for the week and are now short 69,691 contracts.
Closing Prices
Market
Month
Last
Change
Corn
Sept
421.75
2.50
CHI Wheat
Sept
589.75
11.75
KC Wheat
Sept
619.50
11.00
Soybeans
August
1136.50
0.50
Soy Oil
August
69.82
0.28
Soy Meal
August
304.20
1.80
Live Cattle
June
257.450
0.050
Feeder Cattle
August
369.850
3.450
Lean Hogs
July
92.925
0.225
Crude Oil
August
69.24
2.68
Ch Cutout
392.10
4.22
Sel Cutout
372.41
2.33
Feeder Index
381.86
6.03
Pork Cutout
95.22
1.36
Dollar Index
101.379
0.0520
DOW
51,803
117
National Corn Basis
-27.81
0.47
National Bean Basis
-47.18
1.53
Dates to Remember
June 30- Quarterly Grain Stocks & Planted Acreage
June 30- June Live Cattle Expiration
Hog Fundamentals
Current
One Week Ago
Change
One Year Ago
Change
Lead Month Future
92.925
95.025
2.100
112.325
19.400
National Cash
95.29
97.75
2.46
108.00
12.71
Index
91.78
92.43
0.65
112.02
20.24
Cutout
95.22
94.77
0.45
119.65
24.43
IA/SMN Cash
97.35
97.86
0.51
108.59
11.24
IA/SMN Weights
286.10
287.20
1.10
285.30
0.80
Slaughter
2,371,000
2,371,000
0
2,389,368
18,368
Cattle Fundamentals
Current
One Week Ago
Change
One Year Ago
Change
North Cash
260
259.95
2 Higher
230.68
29.32
South Cash
259.47
224.59
North Steer Basis
2.50
5.00
2.50
12.16
9.66
Choice Boxes
392.10
393.27
1.17
395.05
2.95
Select Boxes
372.41
374.98
2.57
379.74
7.33
Spread
19.69
18.29
1.40
15.31
4.38
Carcass Weights
890
892
2
863
27
Slaughter
537,000
526,000
11,000
561,022
24,022
FC Index
381.86
367.06
14.80
311.39
70.49
Cash Cattle Markets
Region
This Week
Last Week
Last Year
TX/OK/NM
$259.00
$223.96
KS
$259.47
$224.59
NE
260
$259.95
$230.68
IA/MN
260
$259.51
$231.86
CFTC Disaggregated COT Report
As of: 6/23/2026
Commodity
Current Managed Money
Change
Current Producer/Commercial
Change
Total OI
Total OI Change
Live Cattle
126,025
1,676
-172,359
1,407
326,589
503
Feeder Cattle
15,227
2,104
-8,715
777
63,973
1,292
Lean Hogs
-25,560
4,601
-52,108
6,316
294,264
2,921
Corn
-69,691
23,264
-285,394
32,617
1,905,168
5,044
Soybeans
36,679
16,139
143,660
15,797
961,754
25,894
Live Cattle Markets
August Live Cattle touched 250.000 this week. Resistance is at 250.000 and then 251.650. Support is at 245.475 followeed by the 20-day MA of 243.150.
Feeder Cattle Markets
August Feeder Cattle have moved back near contract highs. Resistance is at 377.400 and then the contract high of 379.450. Support is at 367.125 and then 366.600.
Lean Hogs Markets
August Lean Hogs have finished lower three days in a row. Support is at 95.675 and then 94.875. Resistance is at the 20-day MA of 96.875 followed by 98.350.
Corn Markets
September Corn posted a new contract low yesterday. Support is at that low of 412 1/4 and then 403 3/4. Resistance is at the 20-day MA of 429 followed by 430 1/2.
This material should be construed as the solicitation of an account, order, and/or services provided by Producers Commodities LLC, NFA ID: 0355787 and represents the opinions and viewpoints of the author. It does not constitute an individualized recommendation or take into account the particular trading objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual customers. Additionally, this material should not be construed as research material. The trading of derivatives such as futures and futures options may not be suitable for all investors. Derivatives trading involves substantial risk of loss, and you should fully understand the risks prior to trading. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Producers Commodities LLC is not responsible for any redistribution of this material by third parties, or any trading decisions taken by persons not intended to view this material. Information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Contact designated personnel from Producers Commodities LLC for specific trading advice to meet your trading preferences or goals.
Producers Livestock offers livestock sourcing and marketing, commodities trading and hedging and loans and credit facilities to farmers and processors in the Midwestern US and Central Plains.
6/26/2026 Market Commentary
Live Cattle: Live Cattle futures ended the day lower in all contracts except the nearby June which will expire on Tuesday. Lack of cash trade up to this point in the week along with end of the week profit taking kept pressure on the futures most of the day. Cash trade has yet to develop in the South but cattle have traded in the North at 260 today. Boxed beef was quoted lower this morning and has erased all the gains from the beginning of the week. Choice is currently at $392.10, down $4.22 on the day and select was $2.33 lower at $372.41. Choice was over $400 earlier this week and has been multiple times during 2026, but is always met with resistance and then prices work lower for a few weeks. Today’s CFTC Report showed the managed money as buyers of 1,676 contracts on the week, increasing their net long position to 126,025 contracts. This week’s estimated slaughter is 537,000 head which was 11,000 head more than a week ago and higher than estimates for the week. This could be due to the holiday shortened week next week and packers trying to keep meat stocked. Steer and heifer carcass weights were down two pounds for the week ending June 13, and are now at the lowest levels of the year, but 36 pounds larger than a year ago. Carcass weights typically bottom in the middle of June and then climb higher into the end of the year. Forecasts show heat setting in across most cattle feeding regions over the next few weeks which will keep weight off of cattle that are nearing slaughter.
Feeder Cattle: August Feeder Cattle futures traded within $2.050 of the contract high that was set at the beginning of May but could not hold those gains heading into the weekend. Cheaper feed and high demand for Feeder Cattle along with increased Live Cattle prices have caused cash Feeder Cattle to again move to record levels. The CME Feeder Cattle index posted a new all-time high on Thursday of $381.86 which was up $6.03 on the day for Wednesday’s sales. This is an increase of $22.65 since June 4 and $14.80 compared to a week ago. The old record was $379.09 and was set in the middle of April this year. Open interest continues to grow slightly but is still well below year ago levels. Last week, the futures were at a premium to the CME Feeder Cattle index but with the sharp increase in cash prices the futures are again at a discount. Currently, the CME Feeder Cattle index is $12.01 above the nearby August contract.
Lean Hogs: Lean Hog futures finished the day higher in all contracts except the August as the complex found support from yesterday’s Hogs and Pigs Report. All hogs and pigs are unchanged from a year ago which was a percent lower than the pre-report estimates. The hogs and pigs inventory has remained steady for the past five years after the reduction the industry saw following 2020. Hogs kept for breeding were down 1.2% compared to a year ago and are now at the lowest levels since 2014. Pigs per litter for the months of March, April, and May 2026 averaged 11.87 compared to 11.75 in 2025. The pork cutout was $1.36 higher yesterday afternoon and is currently quoted at $95.22. Since falling below $100 at the beginning of June, the cutout has held in the mid $90s for the rest of the month. The August contract has traded through the 20-day MA each of the past four days but has yet been able to settle above the line. A settlement above this line would help the technical picture and help support prices. Today’s CFTC Report showed the managed money as sellers of 4,601 contracts, increasing their net short position to 25,560 contracts, just 5,500 away from the all-time record short position.
Corn: New crop Corn futures lost 4 3/4 cents this week while soybean futures gained 13 1/2 cents. Crude oil continued its move lower into the end of the week with the August contract closing at 69.35, near pre-Iran war levels. Widespread rains across much of the Cornbelt this week will be followed by increased heat next week which will create favorable growing conditions across much of the U.S. corn acres. Next Tuesday, the USDA will be releasing their June Acreage Report at 11:00 a.m. Estimates are for Corn acres to be down .35 million acres and soybean acres up .669 million from the March 31 Prospective Planting Report. Traders will be watching that report closely for any surprises. If there are no big changes within this report the focus will turn back to growing conditions during the months of July and August. The funds were sellers of corn for the week and are now short 69,691 contracts.
Closing Prices
Dates to Remember
June 30- Quarterly Grain Stocks & Planted Acreage
June 30- June Live Cattle Expiration
Hog Fundamentals
Cattle Fundamentals
Cash Cattle Markets
CFTC Disaggregated COT Report
As of: 6/23/2026
Live Cattle Markets
August Live Cattle touched 250.000 this week. Resistance is at 250.000 and then 251.650. Support is at 245.475 followeed by the 20-day MA of 243.150.
Feeder Cattle Markets
August Feeder Cattle have moved back near contract highs. Resistance is at 377.400 and then the contract high of 379.450. Support is at 367.125 and then 366.600.
Lean Hogs Markets
August Lean Hogs have finished lower three days in a row. Support is at 95.675 and then 94.875. Resistance is at the 20-day MA of 96.875 followed by 98.350.
Corn Markets
September Corn posted a new contract low yesterday. Support is at that low of 412 1/4 and then 403 3/4. Resistance is at the 20-day MA of 429 followed by 430 1/2.