Robin Schmahl

Pork cutout prices were lower Thursday, but the biggest shock of all was a $32.13 drop in the value of pork bellies.

The whole cattle complex is under pressure from a mountain of news and imports.

This week's cattle markets have been quiet compared to the volatility brought on by the news headlines last week. In the meantime, hogs tested resistance after some small wins to close out August.

Hogs found little strength in futures Monday on top of stronger pork cutout values.

The cattle news cycle brought a lot of fireworks last week, and much of the same is expected this week. Uncertainty remains in all protein contracts as the market weighs additional shipments of ground beef at discounted prices.

Traders supported cattle futures despite a lower cash trade likely developing for the week and the return of lower boxed prices. Hog futures showed slight gains in all but the October contract as the market struggles to find...

Cattle futures made a valiant attempt to regain some losses, but the strength earlier in the day could not hold into the close. The October live cattle and the nearby feeder cattle contracts closed slightly lower. Hog futures...

Cattle futures have not been able to shrug off the recent negativity in the market. Light cash trade shows weaker cash developing. Hog futures were unable to find support and set new contract lows as pork products show...

Cattle futures could not hold up under the news of more beef being allowed into the U.S. quota- and tariff-free for 90 days to increase the ground beef supply and the reopening of the border for cattle from Mexico. Hog...

Most cattle contracts closed higher as traders balanced positions ahead of the report, the border reopening for cattle from Mexico and more beef to be imported into the U.S. Hog futures closed higher as short positions were...

Cattle futures tried to make a run higher again but could not hold the entire gains. Futures closed over $1.00 off their highs. Traders will turn their attention to the Cattle on Feed report Friday. Hog futures continued to...

Cattle futures tried to establish support early on Wednesday, but buyers were unable to hold onto the gains. Light cash activity took place at lower prices. Hog futures had a limited price swing but closed in positive territory.

Traders were cautious over the impact of slaughter resuming at the Fort Morgan plant and its impact on the market. Exceptionally strong boxed beef had minimal impact. Hog futures took it on the chin with new contract lows. The...

Block cheese and butter declined while nonfat dry milk increased. Good volume traded again in the spot butter market. Traders focused on the strength in nonfat dry milk rather than the weakness of butter.

Cattle futures began the day with strength, but after a short period of time, prices eroded, resulting in a mixed close. Hog futures could not find sufficient interest to move the needle much by the close. Cash and cutouts...

The close on Friday ended a tough week for cattle futures. The bombardment of expected negative news and lower cash trade pressured futures. Hog futures closed in negative territory with contracts closing below support.

The expectation of lower cash prices and Tyson's announcement of plant closures rattled the confidence of bullish cattle traders Thursday. Hog futures declined due to continued weakness of cutouts and the need to close the...

Cattle futures began the day where they had left off, but then came under pressure during the first 15 minutes of trading. A beef recall and a packing plant cutting production triggered the selling.

Cattle futures moved higher early, but then eroded slowly throughout the day. The market has been unable to find solid footing. Hog futures took away much of the gain seen on Monday. The market remains sideways.

Cattle futures closed higher in most contracts Monday, but the gains lacked conviction. The strength in choice boxed beef may be what is needed to provide support. Hog futures posted nice gains but could not hold the highs.

Live cattle futures already had higher cash prices factored in, resulting in a mixed close Friday, while feeder cattle closed with solid gains. Hog futures were mixed as traders were more optimistic, but cautious, over the nearby...

Cattle futures succumbed under substantial pressure tied to weakness in choice boxed beef and technical selling. Hog futures showed further weakness as traders remain uncertain about continued demand.

Traders are fighting to keep the trend higher for cattle futures. Boxed beef is not fully supporting the market, but demand may improve. Hog futures took it on the chin on Wednesday with traders disappointed with the market's...

Cattle futures began lower on Tuesday, but found support as the day progressed. Boxed beef prices are finding support. Hog futures closed higher, but the fundamentals are not providing specific price direction.

Cattle futures made a valiant effort to extend Friday's gains, but failed into the close. Hog futures closed mixed, with spread trading putting pressure on the nearby contracts. Traders were uncertain over continued demand.

Cattle traders reduced some of their exuberance seen much of the week as the market corrected to be more in line with cash. Hog futures bounced after two brutal days of losses, but will need to see renewed demand to regain...

Cattle futures closed higher Thursday as some light cash cattle trade was reported at higher prices than last week. Nearby feeder cattle spent some time in negative territory before finding strength. Hog futures posted another...

Cattle futures posted gains Wednesday with optimism that cash may be no worse than steady this week. However, lower boxed beef may suggest otherwise. Hog futures took it on the chin as traders decided to liquidate despite good...

Live cattle futures closed higher Tuesday as much of the bearish news had been factored in. Feeder cattle diverged with nearby issues significantly higher while later contracts declined. Hog futures regained much of the losses of...

Cattle traders did not like the news of the U.S. border reopening for cattle imports. Deferred feeder cattle futures locked limit down by the close. Hog futures were under pressure from the beginning as the market seems to be...

Cattle futures closed higher on Friday as traders had positioned themselves before the Cattle on Feed report. The report was neutral and will likely have limited influence on the market.

Cattle futures plummeted on Wednesday after the slight bounce on Tuesday. Packers are bidding lower as expected. Hog futures continued to find support with higher highs and higher lows on Wednesday. The uptrend remains intact.

Cattle futures failed in their attempt to extend the strong gains of Monday. Higher prices could not hold, with futures closed $1.00 or more off their highs. Hog futures closed with minor gains, keeping the uptrend intact.

Cattle finally found sufficient support to result in a higher close. The oversold market likely triggered short-covering. Hog futures were mixed, but maintained the recent gains as traders have turned more optimistic over demand.

Cattle futures could not catch a break on Friday, with new lows in live cattle and support being penetrated in the October, December, and February contracts. Hog futures continued the rally, with August and October posting...

Live cattle futures broke below support, adding to the already negative market so far this month. Feeder cattle futures are on their way to do the same. Hogs held onto the strong gains from Wednesday as fundamental support...

Cattle futures continue to struggle Thursday as demand remains lackluster and cash prices move lower. Hog futures show exceptional support as pork packers remain aggressive.

Cattle futures were lower right out of the gate on Tuesday and never looked back. The continued weakness in boxed beef and the prospect of low cash weighed on the market. Hog futures diverged with strength in the nearby...

Cattle futures tried to turn the trend and run higher, but ran out of steam, resulting in a mixed close for live cattle and lower feeder cattle futures. Hogs came under pressure with traders deciding to sell recently established...

It is as if cattle futures are in free fall. Futures open higher, but turn lower as trading progresses and liquidation continues. Hogs closed mixed, but the pressure seemed to lack conviction.

Cattle futures spent about the first two hours of the day in mostly positive territory, but then they went downhill fast as lower cash trade began to surface. Nearby hog contracts closed lower while deferred contracts found...

There was quite the volatility in cattle futures on Wednesday, with live cattle closing lower and feeder cattle closing higher. Hog futures had a fire lit under them, closing with strong triple-digit gains in what could be the...

Livestock futures closed lower except for the front-month August feeder cattle and lean hog contracts. Hogs continued their choppy pattern while cattle showed further liquidation.

The cattle complex appeared to be struggling with new lows again on Monday. Some liquidation is taking place. Hogs held and continue to build support.

Cattle futures showed further weakness with traders showing continued disappointment over the weakness in cash and boxed beef. Hog futures again showed spread trading as uncertainty surrounds the market potential at the end...

Cattle futures made a valiant effort to trade higher, but could not hold the gains. The nearby August contract made a lower high and higher low despite the large discount to cash. Traders continue to trade spreads, with...

The August live cattle contract becoming the lead-month did not have any impact on the market from a bullish standpoint. The continued weakness was a bit surprising. Hog futures continued sideways trade in later contracts, which...

Cattle futures were under pressure from the start and remained that way throughout the day. There is a possibility that follow-through selling could continue. Hog futures reversed the direction of trade on Friday. Futures...

June live cattle futures stretched to a new high on Thursday as the discount to cash needed to be reduced. Other contracts did not show much strength. Hog futures showed little change except for the nearby July contract, as...

Cattle futures closed higher as the potential for higher cash this week looks to be more of a reality. Hog futures were mixed with nearby contracts giving back some of their earlier gains as traders prepare for the Hogs and...

Resistance held and cattle futures set back. However, that may have been due to some profit-taking and not a change in trend. Hog futures struggled all day to post an increase, but could not find sustained buying interest as...

Cattle futures opened higher in reaction to the Cattle on Feed report, but did not hold the initial gains. Feeder cattle futures performed well, but closed well off their highs. Hog futures could not hold but maintained the sideways...

Cattle futures set back on Thursday as traders prepared for the Cattle on Feed report and the extended weekend. Hogs closed mixed as traders had little to influence their trading decisions.

Live cattle futures spent time on both sides of unchanged, ending the day slightly lower. Feeder cattle futures were under pressure, but finally closed higher. Hog futures bounced but had little reason to extend the gains.

Cattle futures uncovered substantial buying interest on Tuesday, with live cattle making a run toward contract highs. Traders see that the recent news has not impacted demand, providing confidence to own futures. Hog futures...

Cattle futures found support on the open. Plant closings and the New World screwworm have been taken in stride and deemed not bearish for the market. Hog futures fell back with the October through February contracts making...

Cattle futures spent little time in positive territory on Friday with traders more interested in positioning ahead of the weekend and the uncertainty of cash. Hog futures found support after an initial drop to new lows. Then...

Cattle futures uncovered further buying interest with feeder cattle leading the way after an uneventful opening. Hog futures showed minor strength in the August and later contracts. Friday is the final day to trade the June...

Cattle futures were able to extend their gains due to the expectation for no worse than steady cash trade this week. Hog futures tried to claw their way higher, but buying interest ran out with deferred contracts making new lows.

Cattle futures found strength on the idea that cash may trade steady to higher this week. Traders are uncertain over the impact of the New World screwworm, but seem to feel demand will not be impacted. Hog futures just cannot...

Cattle futures tried to push higher, but further cases of the New World screwworm (NWS) seemed to cause sufficient uncertainty to trigger selling pressure. Hogs followed a similar pattern with strength during the day, eventually...

Cattle futures closed higher but were well off their highs achieved during the day. Steady cash was a bit of a disappointment. Hog futures nearly retested the lows of earlier in the week.