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
John Nalivka’s projections for the 2020 Cattle Inventory show a decline of 1.6%, which, if realized, would be smallest inventory number since 2016.
Over the past 10 weeks, cattle feeders have gained market leverage in a rally the likes of which have not been seen in many years.
The new year brings with it several changes in ongoing market dynamics, some new opportunities, and some new risks and continuing challenges for cattle and beef markets.
Packers were aggressive in obtaining inventory to start the new year, and the result was a cash cattle market that gained $2 in both the north and south.
As consumers glean more information about where their food comes from, producers need to focus on how they manage their farm or ranch. Beef Quality Assurance certification is a good place to start.
Cash cattle prices traded higher in the north, with dressed sales reported $3 to $5 higher. Feeder cattle markets saw a limited holiday-week test.
Packers were eager to push their inventory higher last week and prices in all regions responded by moving $1 to $2 higher.
Cash cattle prices traded $1 to $2 ahead of Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report which reported a 2.5% increase in the number of cattle in feedlots.
Steers and heifers sold at auctions this week steady to $3 lower. AMS said with the holidays and the end of the year fast approaching, many auction markets saw heavy runs of cattle.
Sharply higher carcass weights have boosted beef production, though another round of winter weather hitting parts of cattle feeding country may temper that in the last few weeks of the year.