Livestock and Grain Markets, Prices & Futures
Use the chart below to check futures prices for commodities. Click the links for pricing on grains, livestock, and more and stay on top of what’s going on in the markets. Cash price reflects the USDA Chicago terminal.
Latest News from Markets
The packer/feeder margin spread grew this week in favor of the feeder at $285 per head while pork producers found positive margins of $39.77.
Calf and feeder cattle prices have been much more active in the past three weeks with two market-moving events, including precipitation in the central states and the temporary closure of the southern border due to screwworms.
Packer margin losses grow, with beef packers at a loss of -$91.33 per head and pork packers averaging losses of -$5.87 per head.
Packer margins remain in the red for beef at -$60.29 and stayed similar for pork.
The latest Cattle on Feed report showed feedlot inventories on Nov. 1 were 11.99 million head, equal to one year ago. Heifer retention still affecting herd rebuilding.
Margins widened this week this week for pork and beef producers while packer margins remain in the red for beef at -$34.67 and decreased for pork to $8.65.
Last week’s harvest averaged 100,000 with except of Veteran’s Day holiday. Feeder cattle demand elevated after widespread precipitation throughout much of the winter wheat grazing region.
The estimated total cost for finishing a steer last week was $2,770 per head. Hogs placed for finishing last week had a breakeven at $68.36 per head.
Cattle harvest was down last week, but carcass weights remain record breaking. Q4 tends to be the period most prone to follow historical seasonal patterns for carcass cutout prices.
While feedlot margins are declining in the beef industry, hog margins are increasing for U.S. pork producers. Here’s a look at the latest Profit Tracker from Sterling Marketing.