Market Commentary

2026

3/6/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures fought off the negative outside influences most of the week but finished sharply lower today. Feeder Cattle futures turned in one of the most volatile weeks in recent history and could not fight off the higher Corn market. Lean Hogs posted new contract highs in the deferred contracts this week as the pork cutout continues to be supported. Corn futures finally found bullish momentum and followed the crude oil market higher this week.

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3/3/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures have been under heavy pressure both days this week but battled back to finish each day higher. Feeder Cattle futures have also had a volatile start to the week but held at some long term support levels. Lean Hog Futures finished the day mixed following the deferred contracts testing contract highs today. Corn futures have failed to solidify any direction, continuing to digest the war news and watch the crude oil markets.

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2/27/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the week sharply lower and helped move the cash trade lower. Feeder futures have erased over $18 in the last 7 sessions and finished the day at the lowest levels of the year. Lean Hog futures finished the day mixed but ended their streak of higher closes. Corn futures enjoyed the higher wheat market today and pushed to new highs for the move.

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2/24/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the day mixed as cash trade has yet to develop and outside influences have created headwinds. Feeder Cattle futures finished the day higher, breaking a three-day losing streak. Lean Hog futures have now finished higher six days in a row and have recovered over half of the losses from the beginning of the month. Corn futures posted new highs for the move yesterday but have been unable to find additional support since.

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2/20/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures finished the day lower ahead of today’s Cattle on Feed Report. Feeder Cattle futures also finished lower despite the CME Feeder Cattle index posting a new all-time record high. Lean Hog futures finished higher each day this week as the cash fundamentals continue to be supported. Corn futures have found support from the wheat market the last three days and finished the week on a positive note.

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2/17/2026 Market Commentary

Live Cattle futures opened higher and stayed higher all day due to the higher cash market last week. Feeder Cattle futures found support from the Live Cattle complex along with the lower Corn market. Lean Hogs broke their seven day losing streak after moving near support levels. Corn futures finished the day sharply lower as supplies continue to be more than adequate.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2025

5/23/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle both finished the week on a positive note after the higher fat cattle trade and boxed beef that continues to work higher. Lean Hogs traded lower in the nearby contracts as the pork cutout has stalled out just over $100.00. Corn finished the week lower after moving through overhead resistance.

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5/20/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures continue to be well-supported on the cash markets that have remained strong. This week’s Cattle on Feed Report will update the number of cattle on feed compared to a year ago, along with cattle placed and marketed in the month of April. Lean Hogs continue to set new contract highs in the deferred contracts while the nearby months follow the pork cutout. Corn found support from the wheat market today as the managed money is heavily short the complex.

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5/16/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures erased big gains that started the week on technical selling and fund pressure. Both cash markets remain strong and were fully steady this week. Lean Hogs found support on a higher cutout market this week, while corn futures fail to find traction with no threat to the U.S. growing season and weaker soybean and wheat markets.

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5/13/2025 Market Commentary

Live and Feeder Cattle started the week higher as the Mexican border has been closed for all cattle imports and higher equity markets. Lean hogs found support on better trade developments with China, taking out overhead chart resistance. Corn traded to the lows from November and found technical support after a somewhat friendly WASDE report.

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5/9/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle both posted new contract and all-time record highs this week as both cash markets also set record highs. Lean hogs have fallen victim to a stagnant pork cutout in the nearby contracts as the deferred contracts hang near contract highs. Corn posted a new low for 2025 before a slight recovery on Friday. With the U.S. summer and growing season ahead of us, the funds have eliminated almost their entire long position.

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5/6/2025 Market Commentary

Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures posted new contract highs before a midday selloff that was short lived. Strong fundamentals and the expectation of a higher cash market continue to entice fund buying within the cattle complex. Lean Hogs traded down to technical support levels setting up an important day tomorrow as cash fundamentals have fallen stagnant. Corn looks for any kind of bullish news as the market nears the most recent lows set back in March.

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5/2/2025 Market 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.

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4/29/2025 Market Commentary

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.

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4/25/2025 Market Commentary

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.

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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.

Nebraska Location

4809 S 114th St
Omaha, NE 68137

Iowa Location

4280 Sergeant Rd, Ste 240
Sioux City, IA 51106

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PO Box 45978
Omaha, NE 68145

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8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.