Robin Schmahl

Cattle futures held up surprisingly well despite the further weakness of boxed beef and the upcoming Cattle on Feed report this afternoon. Hogs closed mostly lower on Thursday but held up surprisingly well with earlier pressure...

Livestock futures were a mixed bag with closer contracts in live cattle lower and differed contracts higher. Feeder cattle were higher in the front month and lower thereafter. Hog futures were mixed.

Cattle futures continued higher Tuesday on further short-covering and renewed buying interest. Hog futures could not hold the strong gains seen during the day, posting only slight gains into the close.

Cattle had a strong Monday, posting triple-digit gains in all contracts. Traders decided the market was a bit overdone on Friday. Hog futures wanted to move higher but just could not hold the gains.

Livestock futures came under substantial pressure Friday with triple-digit losses in all contracts. Traders do not like recent news that could further impact the cattle market. Hogs fell under the uncertainty of ongoing demand.

After spending some time in negative territory, cattle futures were able to gain some traction and move higher Thursday. Technical support held for the time being. Hogs struggled to close higher after the huge price decline...

The livestock complex fell as Wednesday progressed. The prospects for higher cash cattle trade this week dimmed as futures failed to hold gains and slaughter slowed. Hogs turned tail, closing with triple-digit losses, as cash and...

Traders seem to be gaining a little more confidence in the cattle complex and have stepped back in to purchase more aggressively. There is some optimism for cash trade to hold steady this...

Live cattle futures were able to close in positive territory Monday as the heavy liquidation may have run its course. The discount to cash and the huge jump in boxed beef prices may provide support. Hogs closed in positive...

Cattle futures were pummeled as the news of the avian flu virus in dairy cattle continued to circulate. Funds continued to liquidate long positions. Hog futures found substantial strength as they were benefiting from the avian flu...

The livestock complex was able to close higher Thursday. Cattle are searching for some bullish news to take traders' minds off the news of avian flu in dairy cattle. Hog futures spent time on both sides of unchanged before...

Cattle futures spent some time in positive territory Wednesday, but it was short-lived as further liquidation continued. Hogs found greater support on Wednesday, pushing June through October to new contract highs.

Cattle futures spent some time in negative territory Tuesday, but were able to close higher, regaining some of the losses of Monday. Feeder cattle led the charge with triple-digit gains. Hogs traded on both sides of the market...

The cattle complex fell apart Monday after the release of the news that a human who worked with the cattle of an infected dairy herd tested positive for HPAI. The market dropped quickly as selling escalated and stops were...

Early trade will be interesting Monday as cash cattle traded lower last week and the Quarterly Hogs & Pigs report was released after the close on Thursday. Traders had an extended weekend to ponder what their course of...

Cattle futures were under pressure earlier Wednesday but managed to close higher as the liquidation ran its course. The potential for lower cash this week may not put further pressure on the market. Hog futures closed mixed...

Cattle futures showed huge losses Tuesday as concern moved into the market and traders liquidated long positions. Cattle futures eliminated all gains since January. Hogs held up well, minimizing the spillover pressure from cattle...

Cattle futures were on a roller coaster Monday as traders reacted to the Cattle on Feed report. Hog futures found strong buying interest, eliminating the losses of the second half of last week.

Cattle took a beating Friday ahead of the Cattle on Feed report. Feeders led the weakness with large losses. Hog futures spent some time in negative territory, but buying interest emerged, resulting in a higher close in most...

Thursday was another day of general pressure on livestock futures. Front-month live and feeder cattle futures closed higher while December and later hog contracts closed lower. Futures continue to search for support.

Livestock futures were lower across the board Wednesday. The losses were moderate -- but losses, nonetheless. Traders of cattle are looking ahead to the Cattle on Feed report. Hog traders focused more on the weakness of...

Cattle futures floundered Tuesday, unable to establish any solid direction. Hogs were under pressure as the a price correction was needed in an overbought market.

Cattle futures had a good beginning to the week with traders not being shy about their anticipation of price potential. Hogs were higher in all months except April with traders anticipating better prices but remaining cautious due...

Most contracts in the livestock complex closed higher Friday, regaining some of the loss of Thursday. Higher cash cattle trade provided support with positioning ahead of the weekend. Hogs were supported by stronger cash and...

The cattle complex came under substantial pressure Thursday, led by the weakness of feeder cattle. The April live cattle contract closed the chart gap and fell back as technical pressure mounted. Hog futures chopped around in a...

Live cattle futures moved out of their trading range Wednesday and are poised to move higher. Traders are optimistic cash cattle may trade higher this week. Hog futures could not find solid support, but nearby contracts were...

Live cattle futures were higher Tuesday with contracts remaining in the sideways pattern they have been in the past few weeks, supported by stronger boxed beef prices. Hogs finally saw some unwinding of spreads, which pushed...

Live cattle traded on both sides of unchanged Monday, while feeder cattle remained weak throughout the day. There is concern packers will not need to be aggressive this week as they continue to cut back slaughter pace to...

Cattle rejected the move above the sideways trading range with April unable to close the chart gap. Cash cattle trade was higher, but that did not make any difference. Hogs climbed out of negative trade with contracts closing...

Traders were waiting for cash cattle to trade and found strength on Thursday from higher Northern live and dressed sales. This should be held Friday with Southern sales yet to unfold. April hogs continued to struggle while later...

There were no positive closes in the livestock complex Wednesday. Feeder cattle were under the greatest pressure. It was a sour day for hogs as the pattern of new highs came to an end.

The cattle complex was able to gain on Tuesday most of what was lost Monday, keeping the market in a sideways pattern. Hog futures could not find solid footing with the front-month April contract posting a second day of...

Cattle futures could not extend Friday's rebound on Monday as traders gave a pause after the strength. Live cattle could not push through the price resistance of last week with the weakness of feeder cattle pressuring live...

It certainly was a positive close last week for the livestock complex. Cattle futures were higher, even though cash was steady to lower. Traders wanted to buy the break. Hogs were supported by strong cutouts and continued...

Traders were disappointed as cash cattle traded steady with last week. The April contract is now the front month and is carrying a premium to cash. Hog futures again found support as June and later contracts reached new highs.

Cattle futures were under pressure Wednesday with feeder contracts showing the greatest effect. The market may be making a price correction, which would change market sentiment. Hogs were able to eke out a higher close again...

Traders are uncertain about the direction of the market this week. Cattle are not expected to see the cash strength of last week, leaving trade cautious. Hog futures traded on both sides of unchanged with traders looking for...

Live cattle futures were able to hold their head above water Monday, but the same could not be said for feeder cattle as they fell back significantly from the highs. Hog futures were mixed with spread trading putting some...

Livestock futures pushed higher Friday with triple-digit gains in cattle with double-digit gains in hogs. Cattle were propelled by an increase in cash while hogs coasted into the weekend.

Cattle did an about-face Thursday with higher futures during the first half of the trading day, only to close lower. Spread trading took place in the feeder cattle. Hogs marched higher on stronger cash and higher cutouts.

Most cattle contracts closed higher Wednesday, but without much fanfare. The greatest gain was seen in the May feeder cattle contract, which posted a gain of $1.00. Futures may drift ahead of the report. Hogs were mixed as...

Nearby cattle saw pressure Tuesday, closing slightly lower with later contracts holding the line. Traders are waiting for cash and looking ahead to the upcoming Cattle on Feed report. Hogs broke above resistance but could not hold...

The cattle complex closed higher Friday and looks to be making another attempt at closing the chart gaps in live cattle. Hogs were able to hold as demand looked good with cash and cutouts higher.

Cattle and hog futures closed higher Thursday, but traders exhibited some hesitancy. This kept most feeder cattle contracts lower and some 2025 contracts lower in hogs. Traders were more focused on nearby contracts.

It appears a greater price correction is taking place in the livestock complex, fueled by the potential for lower cash cattle trade this week. Strong buying interest was uncovered in hog futures with the April contract leading the...

The cattle complex just could not find solid support Tuesday, opening lower and remaining lower. It appears a retracement may take place to correct an overbought market. Hog futures were mixed with traders uncertain about...

A few live cattle and feeder cattle contracts made new highs Monday before running out of steam. Traders are uncertain about another gain in cash as packers reduce slaughter. Despite higher cash, hog futures did not have a...

Cattle took a breather Friday, slipping back from the highs with most feeder cattle contracts closing lower. There had been almost no cash cattle traded by the close of the futures market, leaving traders uneasy. Hogs were able...

Cattle futures found their legs Thursday, reversing the losses of the previous day and pushing to new highs. Feedlots are tight-fisted and seem determined not to trade at steady or lower cash. Hogs could not find support...

Cattle futures could not push through to another new high Wednesday, but the uptrend is still intact. Cash cattle have not traded yet this week, leaving traders hopeful but cautious. Hogs moved aggressively higher during the day...

Traders used the decline in cattle futures on Monday as a buying opportunity to establish long positions Tuesday. This keeps the uptrend intact. Hogs could not find solid buying interest as liquidation continued.

Both live cattle and feeder cattle futures were lower across the board Monday. Some of the pressure may have come from the market being overbought and in need of correction. Traders developed some concerns about whether...

Live cattle and hog futures closed higher Friday while feeder cattle closed lower. Higher cash for the week supported live cattle. Hog futures found minor support in anticipation of stronger demand.

It was a strong Thursday for cattle futures as cash cattle began trading higher. The market opened moderately higher in response to the report, but cash was the catalyst for strength. Hog futures were holding initially, but fell...

Cattle futures were mixed into the close Wednesday as traders positioned ahead of the inventory report and over concern with the weakness of boxed beef. Hogs were mixed but mostly higher with traders uncertain over ongoing...

The livestock complex performed well Tuesday with feeder cattle leading the way, followed by hogs. Traders are optimistic about the market, which is supportive. The cattle inventory report Wednesday will either provide continued...

Cattle were higher much of Monday but succumbed to more aggressive selling into the close. Some traders decided to liquidate some positions after the large increase last week. Hog futures chopped around in a narrow range...

Last week was a very strong week for the livestock complex. Both cattle and hog futures pushed through price resistance levels, which triggered short-covering. Fundamentals supported the gains with further strength anticipated...

The cattle complex received a boost from stronger cash trade Thursday. This triggered aggressive buying of futures as confidence about higher prices seemed to return. Hog futures chopped around much of Thursday with...

Wednesday was another positive day for the livestock complex. Further weakness was seen in boxed beef, but some cash sales took place at $1 higher. Hogs had a large increase in cash as packers were more aggressive than they...

Both cattle and hog futures were higher Tuesday with feeder cattle and hogs posting triple-digit gains in numerous contracts. Demand is supporting cattle while hogs gained on optimism.

The livestock complex was mixed Monday. Traders did not find anything solid to hang their hats on. There is cash uncertainty this week, which leaves traders cautious.

The cattle complex waited for cash cattle trade to surface and for the numbers on the Cattle on Feed report, which kept trade mixed at the close. Hogs could find little reason to push higher with futures trading in a narrow range.