Market Commentary

2026

2/13/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished slightly higher in the February contract with the steady to higher cash market while the deferred contracts finished slightly lower. Feeder Cattle futures could not hold their gains from early this morning and finished the day mixed. Lean hogs have now finished lower for seven straight days as the managed money liquidated long positions. Corn futures tested technical support this week and ultimately finished the week higher after Tuesday’s neutral WASDE Report.

2/10/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures traded on both sides of steady today as traders wait for the cash market to get started this week. Feeder Cattle futures saw more pressure in the nearby contracts as the CME Feeder Cattle index has not been able to push into new all-time highs. Lean Hogs finished lower for the fourth consecutive day after posting new contract highs last Wednesday. Corn futures finished slightly higher after the USDA added export demand in today’s WASDE Report.

2/6/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures traded sharply higher today as the cash market continued to work higher, but gave up a large portion of the gains late in the day. Feeder Cattle futures also traded sharply higher this morning but finished with minimal gains. Lean Hogs finished the day mixed after trading to near their contract highs. Corn futures posted new highs for the move this morning but lost support from the Soybean market and finished the week lower.

2/3/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures pushed to new highs for the move today due to fund buying in anticipation of a higher cash market. Feeder Cattle futures could not post new highs today but finished the day higher as the CME Feeder Cattle index approaches record highs. Lean Hogs posted new contract highs today across most of the complex as the cash markets continue to be supported. Corn futures finished the day higher and are now testing overhead resistance.

1/30/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the day mixed with the front month higher and the deferred contracts sharply lower despite a higher cash market this week. Feeder Cattle futures struggled all day and finished sharply lower on what looked like end of the month profit taking. Lean Hogs finished slightly lower after posting new contract highs this week. Corn futures bounced off of their lows today but posted new lows for the week this afternoon.

1/27/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the day slightly lower as cash trade has yet to be established and boxed beef has been supported. Feeder Cattle futures recovered nicely today as the cash market remains strong. Lean Hogs posted new contract highs across most contracts today with the cash fundamentals continuing to work higher. Corn futures have failed to find follow-through this week as the market continues to digest the large supplies of U.S. Corn.

1/23/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures started the day sharply lower but followed the higher cash market and finished the day with sizable gains. Feeder Cattle futures tested downside support this morning and finished the day with slight gains. Lean Hog futures posted new contract highs yesterday but finished the week mixed. Corn futures finished the week higher after a huge week of exports.

1/20/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the day higher after trading mixed all day, fearing a sharply lower equity market. Feeder Cattle futures finished higher after the Screwworm rumors from last week were confirmed untrue. Lean Hog futures continue to push to new contract highs as the cash fundamentals have turned positive. Corn futures traded in a tight range today and could not take out Friday’s high.

1/16/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures traded lower to end the week after another week of steady cash trade. Feeder Cattle futures fell victim to Screwworm rumors and traded down to limit lower many times today despite the rumors being untrue. Lean Hogs found support from the higher cash market this week and finished higher each of the last four days. Corn futures finished higher today but will finish the week with sharp losses.

2025

6/24/2025 Market Commentary

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.

6/20/2025 Market Commentary

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.

6/17/2025 Market Commentary

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.

6/13/2025 Market Commentary

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.

6/10/2025 Market Commentary

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.

6/6/2025 Market Commentary

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.

6/3/2025 Market Commentary

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.

5/30/2025 Market Commentary

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.

5/27/2025 Market Commentary

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.