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
Hogs placed for finishing last week had a breakeven at $69.49 per head. The estimated total cost for finishing a steer last week was $2,702 per head, according to the Sterling Profit Trackers.
Heifers made up 39.7 percent of the total feedlot inventory on Oct. 1, up slightly from the 39.6 percent in July.
Market update for week of Oct. 23 and a look at how carcass weigh and ribeye sizes correlates..
How did the beef and pork markets shake out last week?
Total beef production is down a scant 0.7 percent so far this year and may end the year equal to year ago levels. Despite this, wholesale and retail beef prices are higher thus far in 2024.
Beef packers saw profits increase $26 per head to a total loss of $86 per head. That puts the packer/feeder margin spread at $289 per head in favor of the feeder. Meanwhile, pork packers saw average profits of $25 per head, up $2.68 from the previous week.
U.S. Meat Export Federation announces new records for volume and value for pork exports will be achieved in 2024. While not as strong, beef exports are holding their own, led by Mexico purchases.
John Nalivka of Sterling Marketing shares his weekly Beef and Pork Profit Trackers, giving us a deeper look at what’s going on in the markets.
Negotiated cash cattle increased an average of $2.20 per cwt. the week ending Sept. 28. Farrow-to-finish hog producers found positive margins of $8.55 per head last week, down $1.75 from the previous week.
Harvested fed steer and heifer head counts outpaced the same weeks in 2023, with 501K and 492K in the past two weeks.