Market Commentary

August Live Cattle futures have now finished lower 15 days in a row as technical damage has caused continued selling with lower cash and boxed beef prices. Feeder Cattle futures traded lower all week but held up better than Live Cattle as cash Feeder Cattle have been slow to drop. Lean Hog futures followed the cash fundamentals higher and the pork cutout has stayed above $100 all week. Corn finished the week strong as traders continue to price in weather premium and other global concerns.

Live Cattle continue to move lower due to poor boxed beef performance and limited technical support. Feeders also continue to slide lower even with limited chart support under them. Hogs continue their steady move higher with higher cutout and national cash. Corn has traded lower on lessening yield concerns across the nation.

Live Cattle futures finished lower every day this week as cash trade was sharply lower and boxed beef struggles to hold steady. Feeder Cattle futures faced a higher Corn market and lower Live Cattle futures, and ended the week lower. Lean Hogs finished the week with good gains as the cash fundamentals begin to work higher. Corn futures finished the week with good gains with plenty of news from around the world supporting the complex.

Live Cattle futures finished the day lower following the futures trend and the lower cash market the past few weeks. Feeder Cattle futures were mostly lower with the exception of the August contract that is trying to stay in line with the cash market. Lean Hogs finished lower today but remain above the 20-day MA. Corn futures followed up yesterday’s sharply higher close with good gains today as the forecast shows heat remaining and the funds were short the complex.

Live Cattle futures finished lower each day of the holiday shortened week due to a poor technical picture and a struggling boxed beef market. Feeder Cattle futures also finished lower everyday this week with Corn rebounding and Live Cattle moving lower. Lean Hogs found technical support this week following last week’s Hogs and Pigs Report. The Corn market moved higher after a neutral USDA Planted Acres Report in the middle of the week.

Live Cattle futures have finished lower three days in a row after a disappointing cash trade last week and no sign of higher cash this week. Feeder Cattle futures traded to support areas today but have failed to find any positive momentum. Lean Hog futures finished the day mixed but have rebounded nicely from the lows set a few weeks ago. Corn futures found support from a neutral Acreage Report today and are over 10 cents off the lows.

Live Cattle futures traded lower for the majority of the day as cash trade has been slow to develop this week. Feeder Cattle futures quickly lost of $9.000/cwt after edging near contract highs this week despite the CME Feeder Cattle index setting a new all-time. Lean Hog futures found slight support from the Hogs and Pigs Report and finished the day mostly higher. Corn posted new contract lows this week but finished the week nearly 10 cents off the lows.

Live Cattle futures finished the day lower after trading to the highest levels since the beginning of May yesterday. Feeder Cattle futures also saw profit taking today after trading sharply higher yesterday on the positive Cattle on Feed Report. Lean Hog futures have finished higher four days in a row in the most active August contract as the cash fundamentals remain stagnant. Corn futures tested new contract lows today but finished a few cents off of those levels.

With no markets tomorrow for Juneteenth, Live Cattle futures finished the day lower ahead of today’s Cattle on Feed Report and the long weekend. Feeder Cattle futures posted new highs for the move today but finished the day slightly lower. Lean Hog futures finished the day mixed with the nearby contracts finishing higher and the deferred contracts slightly lower. Corn futures finished the day lower after a good recovery from the lows yesterday.