Commentary

Live cattle futures posted new contract highs all the way across the board after another new record for cash cattle this week. The CME feeder cattle index posted a new record high and nearby feeder futures also posted new contract highs while the deferred contracts came close to their previous highs. Lean hogs ran into overhead technical resistance to begin the week but also found support later in the week to finish in the middle of their weekly range. Corn failed to hold support on the charts and finished the week lower due to lack of fund buying and no threatening weather to the U.S.

Live cattle traded to new contract highs on Tuesday following a higher cash market and boxed beef that has found support and risen to new highs for the year. Feeder cattle also posted new contract highs as worries about Mexican imports and a red hot cash market catch trader’s eyes. Lean hogs failed at technical resistance and closed lower both days to start the week. Corn futures fell below chart support as the U.S. weather outlook has an opening for the crop to get planted.

Cash trade is late to develop this week and has yet to take place but will be at higher money. Lean hogs rebounded after a poor export report on Thursday morning. Corn continues to struggle to fight off a lower wheat market as corn export remain strong and the summer weather is ahead of us.

Live Cattle futures are following the cash market higher and are now testing contract and all time highs. Feeder cattle futures continue to watch the CME feeder cattle index as it has set an all-time high in the last week but has since moved back lower. Lean Hogs have now finished higher nine days in a row and have taken out overhead resistance. The corn market is keeping a close eye on weather models ahead of the U.S. growing season and expected large corn acres.

With markets closed tomorrow, the cattle complex finished the week with big gains as the cash markets continue to be red hot. Fat cattle traded as high as 213 in the North this week while the CME feeder cattle index posted a new all-time high. Traders are hopeful that talks with Japan open the door to continued export business. Corn futures turned sideways as corn planting moves forward and export demand remains strong.

Live and Feeder Cattle futures have both rallied into technical resistance as open interest continues to decrease. Cash trade has yet to be established this week after trading $3.50 lower a week ago. Lean Hog futures also gained back most of their losses seen over a week ago as cash fundamentals and the pork cutout all drift lower. Nearby corn futures have worked lower after a six day streak of higher closes while new crop has been steady higher this week.

The cattle complex traded in correlation with the equity markets all week but finished the week on a positive note. Cash cattle traded lower towards the beginning of the week as sellers were able to capture a good basis. Lean hogs fundamentals have fallen lower while the futures rallied to finish the week. Corn finished higher every day this week as the U.S. carryout is now below 1.5 billion bushels and the U.S. growing season is right around the corner.

The cattle complex has traded with extreme volatility to begin the week as the equity markets have been under heavy pressure. Traders are waiting to see what cash cattle looks like as packers continue to have slim inventories but attempt to buy cattle cheaper with a lower futures market. Lean hog futures have been under pressure all week as traders worry about the impact the new tariffs will have on pork export demand. Corn traded into overhead resistance levels on Tuesday and set up an important day on Wednesday to see if higher prices are in the near future.

Chinese tariff retaliations sent all livestock markets limit lower on Friday. Live cattle and feeder cattle have been unable to shed the negative news and lower equity markets as the cash fundamentals remain strong. Lean hog futures are worried about export demand to China with the reciprocal tariffs in place. Corn futures faired much better this week after the USDA Prospective Planting report confirmed more corn acres in 2025.

Live cattle futures moved higher following the higher boxed beef market, while feeder cattle continue to follow record-high prices in sale barns. Lean hogs continue to be cautious as tariffs with North American trade partners are set to go into place on Wednesday. Corn has rallied nearly 20 cents since the USDA Prospective Planting Report that confirmed larger corn acres than a year ago.