Markets
Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures saw some routine profit taking Thursday and early Friday despite some strong cash trade but the market feels heavy. Grains are rallying on weather or is it technical?
With large moves in both directions, fed cattle prices have been erratic for the past three weeks.
A disconnect with cash and futures market and discussions about New World screwworm and tariffs, along with macroeconomics brings some uncertainty.
Check out the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for the week of July 12.
Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are seeing some routine profit taking after hitting all-time and record highs again on Friday. Corn is seeing short covering off fresh contract lows but can it hold any gains?
Live and feeder cattle futures opened lower on Friday but quickly turned higher with strong cash news according to Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek. Grains see pressure from weather and the risk off outside market influences tied to the proposed tariff increases on Canada to 35% by Aug. 1
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for week of July 5.
Extension livestock economist James Mitchell summarizes the sharp increases in beef prices the first half of 2025.
Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futuresare showing resilience early Monday due to better than expected cash trade. However, grains are seeing heavy selling pressure.
Chris Swift says the beef industry is in a tiger trap it can’t get out of with a wide basis spread — the cash market is trading considerably higher than the futures.
Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are trading higher building on Wednesday’s big reversal which was initially triggered by trade news but then better than expected cash trade added to the rally. Grains are also higher on hopes of an announced deal with China.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for week of June 28.
The passing of the early summer seasonal high in fed cattle values came two weeks earlier than last year but was aligned with that of 2023.
Joe Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures had a gap lower opening this morning on news from USDA of a phased re-opening of the border to Mexican cattle starting July 7.
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futures are holding together despite lower cash trade, while grains are finally seeing a bounce in reaction to a China deal on rare earths.
Two studies illuminate food prices for the holiday barbecue season.
Check out the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for the week of June 21.
Cattle inventory was 1% below the same date a year ago and in line with pre-report expectations, while placements were friendly coming in below estimates.
The Nebraska and Iowa/Minnesota reporting regions continue to lead the way with a trading range from $239 to $244/cwt.
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are trying to recover after tanking Tuesday due to geopolitical and war concerns and the lower day in the stock market.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for week of June 14.
Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures started the day higher in recovery mode after a poor technical close on Friday and a bearish reversal lower for the week. Soybeans continue to rally on the heels of the surge in bean oil on EPA’s surprise biofuels news.
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle are seeing risk off selling tied to the news overnight of escalating war between Iran and Israel which has the financial markets sharply lower. Bean oil is limit up on news of higher blending levels for biomass based diesel.
Check out the latest Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for week of June 7.
Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cash cattle trade shattered previous records last week and the futures are continuing to make new all-time highs on Monday in both live and feeder cattle futures.
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futures gapped higher on the opening Friday and made all-time highs once again. Futures are still chasing record cash.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker from week of May 31.
Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle rally chasing record cash with the basis historically wide.
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futures are chasing exploding cash early Friday, with more record high prices paid in all areas. Corn and soybeans continue to be weak with mostly favorable weather.
Check out Sterling Marketing’s Profit Tracker for the week of May 24.