Insights and Stories on Beef

Aug. 2, 2024 at 4:31 pm CDT

Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) cattle futures plunged sharply on Friday, with back-month feeder cattle contracts setting new lows, as signs of a weakening U.S. economy spurred market participants to unwind long positions and seek cover, traders said.

By P.J. Huffstutter, Reuters

Aug. 1, 2024 at 4:45 pm CDT

Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) cattle futures turned lower on Thursday, with the most-active feeder cattle contract FCU24 falling more than two per cent, amid a flurry of fund selling and signs of weakening consumer demand.

By Heather Schlitz, Reuters

Jul. 31, 2024 at 4:41 pm CDT

Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures firmed on technical trading and weaker wholesale prices on Wednesday, while live cattle futures ended lower on a day of choppy trade, market analysts said.

By P.J. Huffstutter, Reuters

Jul. 30, 2024 at 4:27 pm CDT

Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) live and feeder cattle futures turned higher on Tuesday as the cash cattle market remained strong, while lean hogs turned lower as traders anticipated slowing ham sales.

By Heather Schlitz, Reuters

Jul. 30, 2024 at 9:23 am CDT

The year-over-year decline in last year’s calf crop has caused the market to set new records. Larger finishing feedlots are setting the price structure as many of these lots have seasonal low inventory. The quality of yearlings coming off grass is excellent with buyers shopping for feed efficiencies.  

By Jerry Klassen