CattleLink Market View

Live cattle: Last week, the live cattle complex traded sideways until traders saw that the cash cattle market was going to be able to hold cash prices steady. At that point, traders helped drive the contracts higher through Friday’s end and even into Monday’s close. Southern live cattle traded at $233 to $235, which is steady to $1 lower, and Northern dressed cattle traded at $372, which is steady with the previous week’s weighted average.

Feeder cattle: The feeder cattle complex was also able to rally last week. The market not only had the support of the live cattle complex helping its position but also saw increased demand from buyers at sale barns, as they know that turn-out season is right around the corner. 

Lean hogs: The lean hog complex regained some of its footing last week and traded higher late in the week. Traders were pleased with the quarterly USDA Hogs and Pigs report and were grateful to see a slight increase in demand late in the week.

Corn: May corn finished down 3 1/2 cents last week and down another 6 1/2 cents on Monday with very little news.

Soymeal: May soymeal plunged $12.70 last week and ended Monday $0.40 weaker to settle at $314.90.