Robin Schmahl

Live cattle traded higher and remained higher into the close Monday. There was renewed hope that packers may be a bit more aggressive this week as they prepare for Memorial Day demand...

Live cattle just could not find solid support, even though corn futures closed lower on the day. Feeder cattle capitalized on that with contracts rebounding from the lows. Hog futures had strong buyer interest as Friday...

It has not been a good week for the livestock complex. Concern over demand seems to be the overriding factor in the market. Cattle may face more pressure next week as packers may not be aggressive. Hog futures continue to...

Live cattle were mixed but mostly higher as traders believe cash had been set for the week, leaving little reason to press the market to the downside. Feeder cattle felt the pressure from higher corn futures. Hogs could not find...

The only positive from the livestock complex Tuesday was May and June hogs closing higher. Hog futures were on a roller coaster as contracts ebbed and flowed much of the day. Cattle made an initial attempt to move higher early...

Cattle did not react to lower corn futures with traders focusing on different influences rather than just trading opposite corn. Probably the biggest is the concern over the economy and inflation. Hogs saw a strong day for...

Live cattle futures declined as traders were disappointed in the performance of the cash market during the week. Feeder cattle were able to find minor support from lower corn. Hogs fell back as cutouts showed further weakness.

Cattle did not have much to go on with limited trade in the cash market at steady money and little help from the corn market Thursday. Hogs were able to push higher again as traders buy back into the market and cutouts were...

Hog futures found solid footing Wednesday as technical downside objectives were fulfilled, and packers became very aggressive in their quest for hogs. Cattle floundered as light cash business Wednesday showed steady cash.

Feeder cattle rallied again off the weakness of corn, nearly eliminating the losses from last week. Live cattle went along for the ride but only posted minor gains as traders pondered cash potential. Hogs continued to plummet...

The cattle complex found the catalyst needed to lift prices higher from the pressure on grain prices. Feeder cattle led the charge with the August contract closing $5.80 higher. Hogs suffered further losses as traders continue...

The livestock complex closed in the red Friday with cattle posting losses even though cash was steady or higher for the week. Hogs fell apart on Friday, following the path of least resistance.

Live cattle could not capitalize on steady to higher cash this week with June futures closing at the lowest level since April 8. Feeder cattle futures bounced but not until after new lows were made. Hogs closed higher after three...

The exuberance that developed in live cattle Tuesday was quickly eliminated Wednesday. Packers did not need to increase bids to get cattle from what had already been established during the week. Feeders plummeted on increasing...

Live cattle futures were able to post gains Tuesday due to steady to higher cash trade. Feeder cattle were under pressure due to higher corn futures. Hogs posted the largest declines due to continued concern over demand.

Cattle futures reacted to bearish Cattle on Feed report as anticipated in conjunction with higher corn prices. Futures gapped lower on the open and never looked back. Hogs led the weakness due to uncertainty of demand and...

Live cattle were more a victim of positioning ahead of the Cattle on Feed report than anything else. Futures gained around $2.00 last week due to higher cash prices and tighter supplies. Hogs made a nice rebound after three days...

Cattle and hog futures diverged with strength continuing in the cattle complex while weakness continued in hogs. Cash traded steady with the week for cattle leaving much of Thursday's move as continued short covering. Hogs...

Cattle futures took off riding on the strength of higher cash defying higher grain prices. Futures did not seem to be affected by higher feed prices as traders were focused on cash strength with optimism over higher prices...

Packers wanted and needed cattle with more trade developing in the South $1.00 higher than last week. However, Northern dressed cattle bids jumped $4.00 higher where feedlots let go of cattle, calling it a victory. Hogs pushed...

Feeder cattle felt the pressure from higher corn futures as the cost of production continues to rise. The pressure spilled over into live cattle as this may reduce some of the bargaining power feedlots might have this week. Hogs...

Cattle futures ended the holiday-shortened week mixed but generally slightly lower. After cash business was established during the week and futures adjusted, traders did not see much more to do before the weekend. Hogs made an...

Cattle found support from packers becoming more aggressive Wednesday, paying upwards of $4.00 more for dressed cattle overcoming the new highs in corn futures. Hogs struggled closing lower as cash price faltered with limited...

The livestock complex finally found some footing despite higher grain prices. The winter storm that is affecting cattle and some initial higher cash trade this week supported cattle futures. Packers paid more for hogs, giving...

Cattle posted a stronger close Monday somewhat tied to lower corn price and somewhat due to the winter storm moving through some cattle country. Hogs closed moved moderately higher with some strength from higher cutouts, but...

Friday was another day when cattle futures were not able to accomplish much. The market seems to be in a consolidation mode and may remain that way much of this week. Hogs followed much of the same pattern with the exception...

Live cattle futures moved within a tight range Thursday with traders having little to go on. Most of the trading for the week has been done at steady cash. Feeder cattle were the target of spread trading. Hog futures tried to...

The livestock complex was able to post gains at midweek as selling pressure subsided. This may have been more directly associated with weaker grain prices. Liquidation in hogs finally ran its course, which may result in traders...

The cattle complex was under pressure again due to the rise of grain prices. Steady cash for live cattle provided little support to futures pushing April to a discount. Hogs held for much of the day but the inability of futures...

The livestock complex was under pressure Monday with hogs leading the way lower. Lower cash and continued liquidation hit hog futures hard as stops were hit and the market pancaked lower. Cattle felt the pressure of higher feed...

The end of the week was not very kind to the cattle complex with only April feeder cattle posing a minor gain. Higher grain prices put more pressure on the market, even though cash cattle were generally steady to higher for the...

The livestock complex was under pressure with hogs suffering from buy-the-rumor, sell-the-fact action and lower cash while feeder cattle suffered from higher corn prices. Live cattle felt spillover pressure.

Cattle were somewhat lethargic with live cattle futures moving around a dollar from high to low. Traders are waiting for cash direction. Hogs showed spread trading with selling in closer months and buying in later months in...

The cattle complex has shaken off the bearishness of Friday's report and is resuming the recent higher trend. The bearishness has already been factored in along with the potential for lower grain prices. Hog futures took it on...

Cattle futures held up well despite the bearishness of the Cattle on Feed report. Much of it seems to have been factored in with traders now looking toward cash. Hog futures were split with closer months higher and later months...

Live cattle futures were mixed Friday as traders coasted into the close in anticipation of the Cattle on Feed report. The report was bearish, indicating a strong potential for futures to open lower. Hogs and another banner day...

The higher close in cattle futures Thursday managed to only keep the market in a sideways trading range. Steady cash may keep a lid on futures. Hogs tried to extend gains and make new highs but could not accomplish the task...

Cattle futures struggled for a good portion of Wednesday but were able to close steady to higher. Cash cattle trading steady with last week may leave futures unable to rally much prior to the weekend. Hogs easily pushed to new...

Traders are not convinced cash cattle will trade higher this week as selling pressure resulted in futures closing lower. Feeder cattle may see further pressure due to high grain prices overnight. Hogs came back managing to close...

Live cattle futures drifted along Monday, providing no concise direction. Feeder cattle were under pressure due to higher grain prices. Hog futures seemingly exploded technically, as cash and cutouts did not support the move.

Live cattle futures were able to close higher Friday as well as for the week. Steady to higher cash along with sideways to slightly weaker corn futures over the past two weeks allowed feedlots to hold with some confidence. Hogs...

Live cattle were able to close slightly higher after spending time on both sides of unchanged. Steady to higher cash provide support in the face of strong corn futures. Hogs just could not hold despite strong exports sales...

Live cattle could not extend the gains of the previous three days, resulting in losses across the board. Feeder cattle fared better but disappointed because of the pressure on corn futures. Hogs did not know which way to go...

With corn futures consolidating, cattle futures have been able to find more aggressive buying interest. There was no cash activity Tuesday but there is optimism cash may increase this week. Packers were aggressively looking for...

Cattle futures reacted positively to lower corn futures. The same might be true Tuesday, however there is no indication as to the strength or weakness of cash cattle this week. Hogs were mixed with some spread trading taking...

The livestock complex closed higher but had little impact on any solid price direction. One has to wonder whether the markets may be at a comfortable level with supply and demand, leaving futures rangebound for a period of time.

The cattle complex was under pressure again due to the gains of grains. Feeder cattle felt the impact with triple-digit losses across the board with the May contract down $4.12. Hogs showed spread trading activity with selling the...

The livestock complex took it on the chin again Wednesday. There were hopes of follow-through strength, but such was not the case. Cash weakness was the overriding factor for cattle. Hogs felt the pressure from cattle and...

Cattle futures continued to rebound Wednesday as they correct from being oversold. Futures were overdone to the downside and corrected even though cash traded lower Wednesday. Hogs rebounded substantially as a reaction to...

Cattle finally bounced after the brutal selloff and even in the face of stronger grain prices. That may continue today as corn futures are under pressure overnight. Hog futures just could not hold the strength it had during...

Livestock futures fell out of bed on Friday with hogs limit down in contracts through July. Higher grain prices were the primary factors responsible for the weakness. More pressure may be seen Monday as grain prices are again...

The cattle complex closed lower after making a valiant attempt to stop the bleeding on Wednesday. Lower cash trade dealt a blow to the near-term outlook. Hogs fared better managing a mixed close with the exception of significant...

Live cattle futures were mixed Wednesday with nearby months under pressure due to lower cash trade while later contracts were higher due to lower grain prices. Feeders rallied as a result of lower grain prices. Hogs were mixed...

Live cattle futures were mixed with nearby months posting losses while later months closed slightly higher. Selling pressure remained on feeder cattle due to very strong grain futures. Hogs rallied after being beat down for the...

The livestock complex was again under pressure Monday. Rising grain prices had substantial impact on feeder cattle with some spillover pressure on live cattle and hogs. It may be difficult for futures to show much strength Tuesday...

Live cattle just could not find support even though feeder cattle were higher. The February live cattle contract goes of the board Monday, leaving April as front month. Hog futures have been on a freefall with three days of...

Live cattle were lower at the open Thursday as pressure on feeder cattle spilled over. Corn locked limit-up during the night had traders running for the door, resulting in some impressive chart action. Hogs made an initial valiant...

The livestock complex took a hit Wednesday with hogs feeling the brunt of the weakness. The pressure seemed more tied to profit-taking in the hogs with cattle traders not sure how cash would unfold.

Live cattle futures were able to show mild gains despite the pressure on feeder cattle. Feeder cattle succumbed to the strong gains in the grain markets. Hog futures were swept up in the exuberance of the day as traders...

Cattle futures remained choppy last week in a sideways pattern. Live cattle futures slipped into the extended weekend while feeder cattle were mixed. Hogs were very strong into the weekend with no desire of traders to liquidate...

The cattle complex had a difficult time trying to find something to get excited about. Futures traded within a fairly tight range. Hogs could not be held back with futures pushing to new highs. Cutouts were incredibly strong.

Live cattle closed slightly positive without generating much excitement. Higher cash was anticipated, and traders saw that come to fruition. Feeder cattle felt some pressure from higher grain prices. Hogs pushed higher on stronger...

The livestock complex reached higher Tuesday with optimism for increasing cash and tighter supplies continuing. Support also stemmed from another powerful winter storm pushing across the country Wednesday through Friday.