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
A $1 decline in average fed cattle prices and a $25 per head increase in the cost of feeder cattle pushed cattle feeding losses to $52 per head last week.
Cattle feeding margins slipped further into the red last week.
A decline of $5 per cwt in cash fed cattle prices pushed cattle feeding margins $60 per head lower, leaving losses at $120 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.
With cash cattle prices tumbling another $4 per cwt lower, cattle feeding margins fell accordingly.
Last week’s $4-plus rally in cash fed cattle prices cut average feedyard losses in half, leaving the red ink totaling $90 on every animal shipped.
Last week’s market rally helped feedyards erase much of their red ink, but not all.
Feedyard margins saw only slight improvement last week as direct trade prices held steady.
The red ink has started to slow down for feedlots and cattle prices have rallied lately, giving beef producers something to be thankful for.
Cattle feeders earned a small profit on cattle sold last week, the first positive closeouts in months.