Live Cattle futures finished lower today with the exception of the April Contract, ending the streak of higher closes at seven days. Feeder Cattle futures also finished lower as the cash market is slow to catch up with last week’s move higher in the futures. Lean Hogs finished the day mixed after a sharply higher day on Monday as the pork cutout has moved near $100. Corn futures finished the day lower but has held at long term support over the last four days.
With no markets tomorrow for Good Friday, today is the final trading day of the week and Live Cattle futures pushed to new contract highs in coming months as the cash market jumped higher. Feeder Cattle futures continue to lead the complex and made new weekly highs late in the day today. Lean Hog futures finished the week lower and filled the chart gaps left last week. Corn futures could not find support from the sharply higher crude oil market today and finished mixed.
Live Cattle futures have now finished higher four days in a row and have gained nearly $10 over that span. Feeder Cattle futures have also finished higher each of the past four days and are now back near record levels. Lean Hog futures failed at overhead resistance and have finished lower the past two days after finding support from the Hogs and Pigs Report on Friday. Corn futures finished the day higher despite the USDA showing more corn acres than the pre-report estimates but still less acres than a year ago.
Live Cattle futures pushed higher today on limited bullish news and a steady cash market. Feeder Cattle traded to the highest levels since the beginning of the month as cash Feeder Cattle have began to move higher again. Lean Hog futures finished the day higher in all months except April after yesterday’s Hogs and Pigs Report. Corn futures finished the week lower despite crude oil pushing back towards the highs of the range.
Live Cattle futures finished the day mixed in the nearby contracts and higher in the deferred contract as the cash market for this week is still in question and boxed beef remains near $400. Feeder Cattle futures traded to the highest levels in over two weeks but finished the day well off of the highs. Lean Hog futures continue to see long liquidation affect the market ahead of this week’s Hogs and Pigs Report. Corn futures could not hold all of their gains into the close but still finished the day in positive territory.
Live Cattle futures recovered to end the week as traders waited for cash trade for the week and this afternoon’s Cattle on Feed Report. Feeder Cattle futures were sharply lower on Thursday and recovered some of those losses today as the CME Feeder Cattle index has found support. Lean Hogs traded to the lowest levels in two months as the managed money has been exiting the complex. Corn futures finished the week with small losses after recovering from the lows set early in the week.
Live Cattle futures have opened higher both days this week as cash expectations are for higher money. The CME Feeder Cattle index was quoted higher for the first time in over three weeks today, but is now at a discount to the March futures contract. Lean Hogs have turned in a quiet start to the week while the pork cutout remains supported. Corn futures finished the day mixed after a sharply lower day yesterday as traders worry about trade relations with China.
Live Cattle futures finished the week slightly lower as end of the week profit-taking brought selling at the end of the day. Feeder Cattle futures finished mixed as the nearby contracts continue to stay in line with the current cash fundamentals. Lean Hogs finished lower each of the final three days this week despite the pork cutout pushing to new highs this week. Corn futures had a volatile week and posted highs early Sunday night as crude oil continues to trade in big ranges.
Live Cattle futures have began the week with extreme volatility as outside factors weigh on the market while the fundamentals surrounding the complex actually improve. Feeder Cattle futures have also been volatile as the Corn market and equity markets have seen big swings. Lean Hog futures posted new contract highs in the deferred contracts as the nearby contracts stay in line with the current cash markets. Corn futures turned in one of the biggest ranges in recent history yesterday as the complex continues to follow an extremely volatile crude oil market.
Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle lost sharp gains from early this morning and finished the day mostly lower. Lean Hogs fell victim to a steady to lower cash and cutout market and saw a lower future close. Corn posted new contract lows today as friendly news is becoming hard to come by.
The cattle complex could not hold the early gains in the futures market this morning and finished the week sharply lower. Cash cattle traded lower for the first time in nearly two and a half months as feedlots chased exceptional basis. Lean Hogs continue to set new contract highs as the pork cutout and cash markets continue to work higher. Corn finished lower after a higher overnight trade due to a warm and dry extended forecast ahead.
Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle both finished sharply lower today as outside factors continue to take center stage and cause uncertainty throughout the world. Cash cattle and a light slaughter number this week are also playing a factor in the lower markets. Lean Hogs posted new contract highs today as the pork cutout has moved to the highest level since 2022. Corn futures saw some recovery today as traders are pricing in a large production number for 2025.
For the first time in nine weeks cash cattle did not trade higher and feeders are feeling the affects of uncertainty entering the markets. Lean Hogs gained momentum on rising pork cutouts but faced weaker export projections. Corn saw minimal movement despite global tensions and a neutral WASDE report.
Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle traded in volatile fashion on Tuesday after news headlines of ICE raids in Omaha, Nebraska rattled the market briefly. Feeder Cattle finished higher and Live Cattle finished mixed. Lean Hogs posted new contract highs again as the cash and cutout markets remain strong. Corn set new lows for the year before finding support and finishing the day higher.
Sharply higher cash markets led Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle to new contract and all-time highs this week as traders race to close the gap between the futures and cash. Lean Hogs also posted new contract highs on Friday as the pork cutout continues to work higher on good demand and tight supplies. Corn finished the week higher after a quiet week of trade as the funds analyze the current and future weather across the U.S. growing regions.
Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures began the day sharply higher and posted new contract highs in many of the deferred Live Cattle contracts, before a quick sell-off that settled all contracts lower on the day. Lean Hogs also posted new contract highs in the deferred contracts, while the front months remain in line with the Lean Hog index. Corn futures continue to struggle to find strength as the U.S. weather outlook looks favorable for the growing crop.
Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures finished the volatile week lower. Cash trade was higher in the North and the South as packers continue to compete for the limited number of market-ready cattle. Lean Hog futures traded to multi-month highs as the pork cutout market gained over $4 this week. Corn finished lower every day this week as the U.S. weather outlook shifts wetter and cooler than previously expected, and uncertainty surrounding demand is beginning to enter trader’s concerns.
Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures came under heavy pressure to start the week as a news article reported that screwworm had been detected in Missouri. The article has since been removed and the USDA confirmed that this report was untrue, and screwworm has not been discovered in the U.S. Lean Hogs enjoyed a higher cutout market on Friday and tighter supplies of pork than a year ago. Corn could not shed off the lower wheat and oil markets, and finished steady lower across the complex.
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