Market Commentary

2026

5/12/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures have traded to big losses this week as President Trump considers reducing tariffs on imported beef. Feeder Cattle futures continue to trade with extreme volatility and huge daily ranges as both Live Cattle and Corn have affected the complex. Lean Hog futures set a new yearly low today as the managed money continues to liquidate their long position. Corn has finished higher the past three days and found support from the wheat market today following today’s WASDE Report.

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5/8/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures failed to find upside momentum this week despite the cash market trading higher and setting new all-time highs. Feeder Cattle futures were under pressure most of the week and have now broke some technical resistance levels. Lean Hogs posted new lows for the move today although the cash fundamentals remain somewhat supported. Corn futures traded a big range this week after matching the highs from March and then reversed lower to support areas.

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5/5/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures were led by the deferred contracts today and finished the day sharply higher after a poor start to the week. Feeder Cattle futures were also sharply higher today after recovering back above the 20-day MA yesterday and found additional support from a lower Corn market. Lean Hogs finished the day near their highs after posting new yearly lows this morning. Corn futures were lower today after positing new highs for the move overnight as planting progress is ahead of the average pace.

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5/1/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures posted new contract highs throughout the complex but ran out of momentum late in the day and finished lower. Feeder Cattle futures also posted new contract highs in all but the May contract, but also finished lower and at the lows of the day. Lean Hogs opened the day lower after the detection of pseudorabies in Iowa and spent most of the day lower as a result. New crop Corn futures posted new highs for the moved and posted new contract highs in the 2027 contracts today, as weather premium is added to the market alongside record demand.

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4/28/2026 Market Commentary

June Live Cattle posted new contract and all-time highs today as the cash market is moving higher early in the week. Feeder Cattle futures are also trading back to near record levels despite the Corn market working higher. Lean hogs finished the day lower and cannot work through overhead resistance as the cash fundamentals have grown stagnant. Corn futures have been on a two-week rally and are back to the highest levels since March.

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4/24/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures gapped higher this morning and most contracts finished right at the 20-day MA average today as the cash market worked higher late in the day. Feeder Cattle futures found support following the news that Secretary of Ag, Brooke Rollins would not be speaking in Arizona today. Lean Hog futures were supported mid-week by the higher pork cutout market, but lost that optimism later in the week. New crop Corn futures have finished higher six straight days and now have a better looking technical picture.

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4/21/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures traded in volatile fashion again today and ultimately, finished lower as the managed money sector has been exiting the complex. Feeder Cattle futures saw over a $6.500 range today and finished near the lows of the day. The Lean Hog complex gapped higher this morning as the pork cutout traded back over $100 for the first time in over a month. Corn finished the day higher as crude oil has added premium back to that market.

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4/17/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures followed the Feeder Cattle lower today as cash trade was steady with a week ago. Feeder Cattle futures traded limit lower this morning as fear of what Secretary Rollins was going to announce took over the market. Lean Hogs extended their days of consecutive lower closes as the pork cutout remains somewhat supported. Corn futures traded lower the majority of the day and finished the day mixed as crude oil traded to the lowest level since the beginning of March.

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4/14/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures pushed to new all-time highs today as cash optimism continues to draw the managed money sector to the market. Feeder Cattle futures posted new contract highs today as the CME Feeder Cattle index nears record levels. Lean Hog futures finished lower for the sixth day in a row and matched the lowest levels of 2026. Corn futures finished the day mixed as the market fights technical resistance levels.

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2025

10/28/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the day mixed after traded sharply higher in the middle of the day. Feeder Cattle futures finished sharply lower again today as traders continue to fear the re-opening of the Mexican border. Lean Hogs continue their slide lower as the pork cutout and Lean Hog index continue to fall. Corn futures have started the week on a positive note after the U.S. and China have struck a trade deal.

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10/24/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the week limit lower in most months despite higher boxed beef and a well-supported cash cattle market. Feeder Cattle futures finished limit lower for the second time this week as traders fear an opening of the Mexican border. Lean Hogs turned in a quiet week as the pork cutout fell below $100. Corn finished the week lower after an overall positive week pushed the futures above resistance levels.

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10/21/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures have finished higher each day this week despite cattle and beef at the front of many headlines. Feeder Cattle futures continue to be supported by record cash Feeder Cattle prices. Lean Hogs finished higher across all months today after testing technical support on Monday. Corn futures finished lower today for the first time in six days after testing upside resistance.

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10/17/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures fell victim to President Trump’s comments about the price of beef and finished the day sharply lower. Feeder Cattle futures plunged to limit lower in the first minutes of trade and spent the majority of the day there. Lean Hog futures continued their slide lower as the cash and product market continue to work lower. Corn finished the week strong with higher finishes each of the final four days.

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10/14/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures traded through the 250.000 mark for the first time ever today while Feeder Cattle also posted a new all-time high over 380.000 this afternoon. Lean hog futures continue to move lower as the cash and product markets remain under pressure. Corn futures finished the day higher after posting new lows for the move.

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10/10/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures rallied to finish the day after cash trade in the North was better than expected. Feeder Cattle have gained nearly 25.000/cwt over the last six days and posted new all-time highs to end the week. Lean Hogs finished lower everyday this week as the cash market and pork cutout work lower. Corn futures followed the soybean complex lower after not being able to break through the 20-day MA.

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10/7/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures have finished higher each of the first two days this week despite the lower cash market a week ago. Feeder Cattle are leading the entire cattle complex higher as new cases of Screwworm continue to be discovered in Mexico. Lean Hog futures have moved lower as the Lean Hog index and pork cutout have turned lower. Corn continues its sideways trade as harvest progresses and fresh news is lacking within the complex.

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10/3/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle finished the week higher following another week of disappointing cash trade and lower boxed beef markets. Feeder Cattle finished the week above technical resistance areas after a slight recovery on Friday. Lean Hogs finished the week higher after four straight days of lower markets. Corn rebounded mid week but failed at technical resistance today.

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9/30/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures followed the Feeder Cattle complex higher as cash trade has not been established this week. Feeder Cattle finished sharply higher as Corn continues to trade lower and cash Feeder Cattle remain at a premium to the futures. Lean Hogs finished the day lower for the second straight day after failing to post new highs on Monday. Corn futures moved lower as the USDA revised their 2024 production estimates higher in this morning’s Quarterly Stocks Report.

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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.

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Omaha, NE 68137

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4280 Sergeant Rd, Ste 240
Sioux City, IA 51106

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Omaha, NE 68145

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