Strong gains for cattle futures at midweek

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were sharply higher on technical buying, shrugging off the bearish cash and wholesale business during the session. April live was up $2.65 at $201.30 and June was $2.67 higher at $195.90. March feeders were $2.47 higher at $270.72 and April was up $2.85 at $270.47. Direct cattle…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 5, 2025

Mar. corn closed at $4.93 and 1/4, down 1 and 1/4 centsMar. soybeans closed at $10.57, down 18 centsMar. soybean meal closed at $308.30, down $5.70Mar. soybean oil closed at 45.09, down 67 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.72 and 1/4, down 4 and 3/4 centsApr. live cattle closed at $201.30, up $2.65Mar. feeder cattle closed…Continue Reading

Soybeans fall on profit taking

Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling. Crop estimates for Argentina remain high, despite weather issues, and Brazil is still on track for a record crop, even with the slow harvest in some key growing areas. The USDA’s new supply, demand, and production estimates are out on the 11th and CONAB’s updated outlook…Continue Reading

BASF says climate-smart biofuels have longevity

A sustainability market development manager is bullish on decarbonization efforts continuing long into the future. Chad Asmus with BASF tells Brownfield 45Z tax credits allow farmers to be rewarded for their climate-smart efforts. “Low carbon intensity biofuels is not going away,” he says. “Looking at the expansion of state low carbon fuel standards for example,…Continue Reading

A slow approach to herd expansion

Could herd expansion be around the corner in the cattle industry? Oklahoma State University economist Derrell Peel says once herd expansion happens, he expects it to be a gradual increase. “We’re thinking about thinking about expanding,” he says. “We’re not really doing it yet, I don’t think, but I do think we’re probably getting ready…Continue Reading

Tariff risks to agriculture aired during Senate hearing

Top farm group officials say the threat of potential tariffs is already impacting the ag industry. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says, “We’re hearing out there about suppliers of fertilizer and other goods who are already adding costs onto goods that we’re buying.” “We’re hearing about some places that are not selling for delivery…Continue Reading

Broiler numbers down on week, still up on year

Broiler sets and placements remain ahead of 2024. The USDA says 248.138 million broiler-type eggs went into incubation, down 1.138 million on the week, but still up 2% on the year, with average hatchability hanging just below 80%. 191.88 million chicks entered meat production, falling 550,000 from the previous week, but rising 3% from last…Continue Reading

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