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
America’s four largest beef packers face another lawsuit claiming antitrust violations since 2015, this one filed by a California distributor seeking treble damages.
Proposed legislation claims the lack of a federal definition of beef or beef products has created “opportunity for marketplace confusion and consumer fraud,” say the bill’s authors.
Cash fed cattle sold $1 to $2 higher, but yearling feeder cattle sold uneven at auction with steer and heifer calves trading $1 to $4 lower.
Friday’s USDA cattle on feed report pegged heifer numbers at 39.1 of feedlot inventories, the highest percentage in more than 18 years, and year-to-date heifer slaughter is up more than 7%.
Beef packers continued to show signs that they still need cattle to meet the demand of their customers and paid higher prices last week.
Research supports fat as part of a healthy diet and consumers are demanding high-quality beef, and the beef industry has seen a rebound of grade because of increased emphasis on genetics, says Dale Woerner, Texas Tech.
The Beef Industry Long Range Plan is updated every five years to identify key areas to advance beef demand and help the industry focus on one strategic direction.
Cash cattle markets backed up last week from a steady upward movement due to a boiler explosion, and the three days of unexpected downtime at Cargill’s Dodge City plant.
Cattlemen sought relief from devastating cattle markets following the August fire at a Kansas packing plant.
Following an explosion Oct. 17, Cargill says it is sending live cattle to other facilities but expects its Dodge City cattle receiving operations to resume early next week.