Robin Schmahl

The cattle complex closed lower in all contracts except nearby August. Today is the last trading day for the August contract. Steady to lower cash trade was a disappointment. Hogs were able to defy the weakness of cash to post...

Live cattle spent some time in positive territory but could not hold through Wednesday. Cash activity was pushed off until Thursday, which left traders a bit uneasy. Hog futures posted new highs in December and later contracts...

Traders were aggressive buyers in the livestock futures Tuesday. Cattle continued to correct from being oversold. Some positive technical indicators also supported the buying interest. Hogs also seem to have found some technical...

Cattle traded higher shortly after a lower open and remained that way the rest of the day. The Cattle on Feed report has already been factored in and the market corrected. Hog futures tried to close in positive territory but...

There was little for traders to get excited over in the livestock complex on Wednesday. Cash cattle traded lower, leaving live cattle under slight pressure. Hog futures closed mixed with upside limited due to cash and cutout weakness.

The cattle complex imploded Tuesday as traders lost confidence in the cash market week and selling pressure grew due to breaking support. Hogs succumbed to some spillover selling after futures were unable to continue higher.

The live and feeder cattle contracts diverged Monday, showing little interest from traders to either buy or sell aggressively. The market may remain mixed until direction is seen from cash. Hog futures regained Friday's losses and...

Livestock futures closed under pressure Friday as the cash market did not provide support. Cash cattle traded lower at the levels indicated earlier in the week. Hogs showed lower cash trade with weakness in cutouts.

The optimism seen Wednesday over higher cash trade this week eroded Thursday with some light cattle sales taking place at lower prices. Hogs gained support from both cash and cutouts. Futures moved to the highest close in over...

The livestock complex found support Wednesday, posting mostly triple-digit gains. Traders expect cash cattle to trade no worse than steady with futures adjusting closer to that price. Hog futures showed strong gains with...

Cattle futures were higher Tuesday, holding or extending the gains. However, though futures were higher, traders seemed to lack the conviction for higher cash. Hogs suffered losses in reaction to the previous day's lower cash...

It seems the price rally in livestock Friday was technical with the market back to reality Monday. Traders are uncertain about cash cattle trade this week and may remain that way. Hog futures showed strength in the nearby...

Cattle futures had a strong day Friday, which seemed to result from profit-taking into the weekend. Cash remained lower for the week. Hog futures were mixed with traders seeing little direction to end last week.

The livestock complex found no support Thursday as cash cattle traded in line with prices from earlier in the week. Hog futures were weak out of the gate, leaving chart gaps and a bearish tone.

Traders lacked the confidence to buy aggressively into the cattle market Wednesday. Some light cash trade took place Wednesday, but not enough to provide solid prices. Hog futures were the recipients of selling pressure, unable...

More stability in the financial markets stemmed the tide of selling in the cattle market Tuesday. However, traders were not anxious to jump on the bullish bandwagon. Hogs regained Monday's losses as cash corrected the skewed...

The decline of cattle futures has been brutal as the outside markets impacted the complex. This decline has nearly mirrored the decline seen in March. Hogs have been able to hold better in the storm, but closed lower Monday.

The livestock complex fell Friday with cattle showing the greatest losses. Lower cash continued to pressure the market, resulting in substantial losses in futures. Hog futures were lower and were not the recipients of liquidation.

What traders feared would happen, took place Thursday as cash cattle traded lower. This took support out from under the market, moving futures to the lowest level in two weeks. Hog futures regained more of the losses from...

Feeder cattle futures carved out minor gains while live cattle closed lower Wednesday. The uncertainty of cash trade kept the market under wraps. Hog futures closed higher as buyers remained aggressive in the cash market. The...

Cattle futures were able to post gains to end the session Tuesday. The selling pressure subsided as it seemed technical with traders looking for steady cash this week. Hog futures tried to close higher but could not accomplish...

The livestock complex came under substantial pressure Monday. Futures fell under technical selling pressure and the lack of optimism to begin the week.

Cattle had a quiet session Friday as futures had adjusted to the cash prices. Higher boxed beef prices could add some support to begin this week. Hog futures had an impressive week and maintained gains into the close Friday.

Cattle futures found buying interest Thursday as cash cattle traded $2.00 higher in the South. Feedlots won the victory, holding out until packers had to raise bids to get cattle on the books. Hog futures took a breather as...

Nearby live cattle futures closed slightly higher Wednesday as contracts remained close to cash. The uncertainty of cash trade makes traders cautious. Hog futures had another good day, continuing the trend higher supported by...

The livestock complex showed another strong day Tuesday as optimism was prevalent. There is anticipation for possible better cash trade in cattle this week. Hogs continue to see short-covering as bullish fundamentals continue to...

Cattle futures closed higher Monday with live cattle leading the way and outpacing feeder cattle. Traders felt the Cattle on Feed report provided sufficient support for higher prices. Hog futures extended their recent rally with...

Cattle traders were cautious going into the weekend and the Cattle on Feed report. Beef demand is struggling. Hogs had a good Friday with contracts posting gains through August of 2025. Demand seems to have improved.

Cattle futures took it on the chin Thursday, declining more than $2.00. The pressure came from Northern dressed cattle trading $2.00 lower. Hogs closed mixed, able to maintain the recent gains supported by cash and cutouts.

Live cattle futures were higher as the potential of lower cash for the week dissipated as cattle were traded in the South at steady money. Feeder cattle futures posted moderate gains except for the August contract. Hog...

Cattle futures closed higher Tuesday but the interest seemed to lack conviction and rightly so due to the weakness of boxed beef and the upcoming Cattle on Feed report. Hogs finally had a strong day with nearby months...

Live cattle futures could not find sufficient buying Monday to push the market higher. The feeling is that cash may trade no better than steady this week due to boxed beef indicating slower demand. Hog futures tried to maintain...

Cattle futures were higher Friday despite cash cattle continuing to trade lower. The lower cash had been factored in, leaving little reason for further downside. Hog futures closed mixed with August closing the gap between it and...

Livestock futures finally ended the liquidation phase of the week. However, that does not indicate price support has been achieved. Lower cash cattle have been factored in and hogs were overdone to the downside.

Livestock futures fell Wednesday as selling pressure continued. Cash cattle traded lower, which is now factored into the market. Hogs were unable to find support with new contract lows and spread unwinding.

Losses mounted in the livestock complex Tuesday, adding to the pressure from Monday. Cattle traders became less optimistic over near-term demand. Hog futures are unable to find support as futures continue to pancake lower.

Traders were not convinced Monday that continued higher cash will develop in the cattle market. There is concern over demand moving through the summer. Hog futures continue to see continued pressure on later contracts and new...

Both buyers and sellers of cattle dug in last week with cash trade finally taking place late Friday at mostly steady money. Hog futures were under pressure due to cash weakness.

There has been an insufficient amount of cattle traded in the cash market to indicate price strength. The futures activity Wednesday suggests cash will trade higher as feedlots have passed on bids. Hog futures have been mixed...

Cattle futures exhibited the proverbial turnaround Tuesday as futures eliminated the losses of the past two days. Boxed beef continues to increase. Hog futures showed spread trading with buyers aggressive in the August contract.

Cattle futures could not find buying support Monday with traders cautious over the potential for cash cattle prices this week. A good amount of cattle were purchased for defered delivery last week. Hog futures tried to rally...

Cattle futures closed under pressure Friday as cash cattle did not trade before the close of the market. Traders were uncertain of the final tally for cash trade. Hogs found support as the market may have finally found a bottom.

The June live cattle contract continued higher Thursday and Friday is the final trading day for the contract. Later contracts drifted lower with traders uncertain of cash. Hogs settled lower ahead of the Hogs and Pigs report...

Livestock futures posted strong gains across the board Wednesday. The June live cattle contract showed the greatest gain as the contract nears expiration. There is a strong chance for higher cash this week. Hog futures...

Cattle futures drifted throughout Tuesday as futures had adjusted to the higher cash last week. Traders are now trying to anticipate whether further cash gains are possible. Hog futures tried to rebound on Tuesday but ran...

Live and feeder cattle futures held up well Monday, posting gains as traders emphasized higher cash trade rather than the Cattle on Feed report numbers. Hogs found no support with new contract lows in most contracts.

Live cattle futures drifted into the close Friday as traders did not have a good handle on cash and the Cattle on Feed report was yet to be released. Cash did trade higher after the close and the report was bearish. Hogs...

Traders seem to be focused on the Cattle on Feed report to be released after the close Friday. Cash has not been established, but the few that traded may indicate packers need to pay more. Hog futures fell apart as cash...

The markets were closed Wednesday, leaving little to determine the attitude of traders Thursday other than boxed beef, pork cutouts, and cash hogs. Cattle traders might be cautious waiting for cash and the Cattle on Feed...

Cattle futures initially followed through with higher prices Monday, but contracts ran out of steam as traders were uncertain about higher cash this week. Hogs pushed higher with July as the lead month and the market finally...

Traders aggressively bought futures after higher cash for the week was confirmed by strong trading activity Friday. The June contract had to keep up with cash as it moved closer to settlement. Hog futures reversed as...

Feedlots held out and packers had to step up and pay more for the cattle they needed Thursday. Live cattle futures did an about-face from lower prices to close higher. Hog futures went in the other direction as fundamental...

Cash cattle did not trade Wednesday, providing no direction for traders. Futures slipped as there was little for traders to go on besides market perceptions. Hogs finally bounced after making new lows again. It may be short-lived.

Some of the gains in cattle futures from Monday were eliminated Tuesday. Mixed boxed beef prices may keep futures mixed Wednesday and the market sideways. Hogs fell apart Tuesday with some contracts setting new contract lows...

Strong buying interest was triggered in cattle Monday as cash is anticipated to be higher this week. Traders are unaffected by further news of bird flu being discovered in Wyoming. Hogs cannot find a bottom, falling below support...

Traders had limited indication of cash cattle trade by the close of trade Friday, leaving the market mixed at the end of the day. The actual cash trade did not provide much direction to begin this week. Hog futures posted minor...

Cattle futures could not find sufficient buying interest Thursday to move prices into positive territory. Traders were not convinced feedlots would receive higher prices. The liquidation in hogs may have run its course, leaving the...

Selling pressure engulfed the livestock complex Wednesday as there was little news to provide support. Cash cattle trade should surface, but traders are not as optimistic as they had been. Hogs continued to fall and may now even...

Early strength in cattle futures Tuesday waned as traders were disappointed and buying dried up. There is hesitancy over the potential for higher cash. Hogs fell apart, gapping lower and breaking technical support. Slower demand...

Live cattle futures were able to come back from the losses and close slightly higher. Feeder cattle futures closed mixed with uncertainty over price potential. Hogs tried to muster strength but could not hold closing near the...

Cattle futures could not recover on Friday as lower export sales and cash weakness did not support the market. Hogs were able to close higher but not by much. Support stemmed from strong pork export sales, but could not...