Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: January 13th, 2021 Hello January USDA Reports! Corn limit higher, all grains into new highs, cattle triple digits lower as feed costs continue to soar. Feeders of course hit the hardest yesterday as the grains continue to rally. Nearby live cattle futures were lower but some optimism holding August and beyond near $1 higher. Cash feedlot trade starting out disappointing with light trade in the Western Corn Belt at $109 to $111 live & $173 to $174 dressed which is steady to $3 lower from last week. Some minor changes on the 2021 supply and demand side for the meats with beef production down 70 million pounds, beef exports though up 10 million, pork production down 55 million pounds, pork exports down 175 million…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: January 11th, 2021 Livestock futures mostly under selling pressure to start the New Year. Cash feedlot trade though held steady with the week previous at $112 live in the South. In Nebraska, negotiated cash trading was reported steady to $1 higher at $175 to $177 on a dressed basis. Feed costs continue to increase pressuring feeders but demand still remains high in the country. For the week, Thursday December 31st through Friday January 8th, February Live Cattle -$.55, April +$.05, January Feeder Cattle -$3.12, March -$3.40, February Lean Hogs -$1.57, April +$.57, February Pork Cutout -$.70. Cattle slaughter from Friday estimated at 117,000 head, up 3,000 from last year with Saturday at 68,000. For the week, 651,000 head, up 136,000 from the week previous…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: January 6th, 2021 Wild swings in all the commodity markets continue for this the second trading day of the New Year. Almost all commodity and equities finished higher yesterday with US$ settling at new lows. Cattle futures collapsed triple digits lower on Monday looking like they were finally reacting to corn and meal prices higher almost every day over this past month. Yet that was not the case yesterday as they were able to gain back most of Monday’s losses reversing back higher. Cattle futures have traded near $4 ranges the past 2 days. Both cash feedlot trade and beef prices rallied to end last year which is supportive yet availability remains plentiful for the packers here in the near term. Only some light…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: January 4th, 2021 Livestock futures higher to finish the year. Cash feedlot trade wrapped up on Thursday in the Southern Plains with live purchases $2 higher than the week previous at $112. In Nebraska, negotiated cash trading was reported steady to $2 higher from $110 to $112 and dressed purchases $3 to $4 higher from $175 to $176. Export sales for beef were friendly as pork sales slipped lower but bullish for 2021. Shipments for the week leading up to Christmas were very strong for both. For the week, Thursday December 24th through Thursday December 31st, December Live Cattle +$.80, February +$.05, January Feeder Cattle -$1.97, March -$2.10, February Lean Hogs +$3.32, April +$1.15, February Pork Cutout +$2.15. Cattle slaughter from Thursday estimated at…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: December 30th, 2020 Cattle futures tried to hold on but with corn and the soy complex hitting new contract highs again, the lackluster trading allowed pressure to spill over pushing both live and feeder cattle triple digits lower yesterday. Beef prices moving higher indicating good Christmas clearance is overall supportive. Cash feedlot trade asking prices this week $2 to $5 higher than last week’s trade at $110 live yet no activity to report. No salebarn reports for this week as most are closed for holidays and resume next week. The following are the only state recaps for the week ending December 24th… Missouri Weekly Cattle Auction Summary Livestock Weighted Average Report for 12/18/2020 - 12/24/2020 Compared to last week, feeder calves traded mostly steady…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: December 28th, 2020 The first week of holiday trade now complete as livestock futures finished last week mixed. Cash feedlot trade reported at mostly $2 higher than the week previous at $110 live in the South and $4 to $6 higher at $172 dressed in the North. Beef exports remain neutral as pork export sales slipped lower this past week but actual exports remain very strong. Mild liquidation in hog breeding herd that was confirmed in last week’s Quarterly Hog and Pig report… Inventory down 1% from a year ago Breeding herd down 3% Market hog numbers down 1% Fall farrowings down 1% and the pig crop down 1% For the week, Friday December 18th through Thursday December 24th, December Live Cattle +$1.67, February…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: December 22nd, 2020 Livestock futures mostly held onto gains to start the week although it was a shaky start. The closing of the Cargill beef plant in Ontario due to the COVID outbreak and the lockdown in the UK due to a new and more highly transmissible strain of COVID pressured all markets in the early trading. Both beef and pork prices rebounded yesterday and should hold their ground this holiday shortened week. Not to say that there still could be some holiday pressure, but at least to start we did hold support levels. Markets close at 12:30 this Thursday and closed Friday, Christmas Day. Last week’s negotiated cash trade only accounted for 60,552 head of which over 40K are for delivery 2 weeks…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: December 21st, 2020 Livestock futures finished the week mixed but held gains week over week. Cash feedlot trade held off towards the later part of the week in the South at $108 live which is steady with the week previous. Feedlots in the North started giving up earlier last week at $105 live and $165 dressed, $3 to $5 lower than the week previous, as they did not want to hold already heavier cattle through the holiday shortened weeks. Weekly export sales were routine for beef again this past week as pork sales and shipments continue to be very impressive. Friday’s USDA Cattle on feed report was friendly as expected with 12.0 million head on feed as of December 1st, just slightly above a…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: December 16th, 2020 Livestock futures finished mixed yesterday as grains were higher. Live cattle contracts continue sideways this week as feeders and lean hogs held modest gains. Cash feedlot trade still waiting to develop as showlists appear to be smaller this week. There were a few small sales reported in the North yesterday, down another $2, at $105 live and $165 dressed. Cattle on Feed report coming out this Friday with hopefully a friendly report, at least for the spring/summer 2021 outlook. The average trade estimate for cattle on feed as of December 1st is right at 100% vs. a year ago. Placements though are again expected to be lower than year ago at 91% with Marketings at 98%. Chinese Ministry of Ag and…

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Morning Ag Markets – Matt Hines

Date: December 14th, 2020 Livestock futures mixed on Friday and for the week. Beef and cash feedlot trade though very disappointing this past week. Beef down over $21 this past week and over $30 so far this month. Cash feedlot trade $2 to $5 lower than the week previous at $106 to $108 live and dressed trade $167 to $170. Exports for beef also not very impressive while pork continues to be strong into China, Japan and Mexico. NATIONAL FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY – WEEK ENDING 12/11/2020 RECEIPTS: Auctions Direct Video/Internet Total This Week: 354,700 27,000 5,500 387,200 Last Week: 278,600 34,500 60,000 373,100 Year Ago: 347,200 34,400 1,900 383,500 Compared to last week, steers and heifers sold uneven; ranging from mostly 5.00 lower…

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