07/04/26 14:31:51 Barchart.com Livestock News Articles https://www.barchart.com/news/contributors https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3127604/why-leg-configuration-matters-more-than-most-commodity-traders-realize Sat, 04 Jul 2026 14:31:51 +0000 Should you trade a traditional two-leg calendar spread or add a third leg? Historical research involving more than 31,000 commodity spread trades reveals that the answer depends entirely on the market. Learn why leg configuration can significantly influence profitability, win rates, and risk. Gas flame with blue reflection on dark backdrop by Bellanatella via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3127604/why-leg-configuration-matters-more-than-most-commodity-traders-realize Darren Carlat https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3107925/cattle-fall-into-the-holiday-weekend-with-wholesale-beef-weakness Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:37:00 +0000 Live cattle futures closed with losses of $2.05 to $2.60 on Thursday, with August down $6.60 this week. Cash sales were picked up at $403 dressed in the north this week, with live trade at $255-256. Southern trade was $255, with both regions seeing weakness from the week prior. Feeder... Black and white cow in field by JackieLou DL via Pixabay https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3107925/cattle-fall-into-the-holiday-weekend-with-wholesale-beef-weakness Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3107935/hogs-see-front-month-gains-on-thursday Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:37:00 +0000 Lean hog futures were mixed, with front months rallying 50 cents to $1.70, as deferreds were down 7 to 30 cents. July was up 92 vents this week USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $95.47 on Thursday morning, down $1.45 from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog... Pigs on a pig farm by artbyPixel via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3107935/hogs-see-front-month-gains-on-thursday Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3104952/shootin-the-bull-about-no-aesop-s-fable Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:12:02 +0000 In my opinion, the first half of this year's higher trading is no Aesop's fable of "The boy who cried Wolf". Cattle by Penny via Pixabay https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3104952/shootin-the-bull-about-no-aesop-s-fable Chris Swift https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/hgpg0626.pdf Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:29:06 +0000 Hogs and Pigs2026-07-02 https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/hgpg0626.pdf https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/lstk0626.pdf Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:28:16 +0000 Livestock Slaughter2026-07-02 https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/lstk0626.pdf https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/cost0626.pdf Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:27:15 +0000 Cold Storage2026-07-02 https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/cost0626.pdf https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/agpr0626.pdf Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:26:23 +0000 Agricultural Prices2026-07-02 https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/agpr0626.pdf https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3103581/cattle-falling-on-thursday-with-wholesale-beef-weakness Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:16:40 +0000 Live cattle futures closed are falling $1.45 to $2 so far on Thursday. There were a few cash sales of $403 dressed in the north this week, with live trade at $255-256. Southern trade has started at $255. Feeder cattle futures are $1.585 to $1.70 lower across the nearbys so... Simmental cow by kobkik via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3103581/cattle-falling-on-thursday-with-wholesale-beef-weakness Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3103592/hogs-rounding-out-the-week-with-gains Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:16:40 +0000 Lean hog futures are in rally mode ahead of the long weekend, as front months are up 35 cents to $1.65. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $95.79 on Thursday morning, down 66 $1.37 from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was back up 24 cents... Pigs on a pig farm by artbyPixel via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3103592/hogs-rounding-out-the-week-with-gains Austin Schroeder https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/cafo0726.pdf Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:50:53 +0000 Fats and Oils2026-07-02 https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/cafo0726.pdf https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3097806/hogs-look-to-round-out-the-week Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:29:54 +0000 Lean hog futures were busy pulling back on Wednesday, with contracts 5 cents to $1.15 lower at the close. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $96.92 on Wednesday afternoon, down 66 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was 17 cents lower on June 29... Pig resting in pen on hay by Annette Meyer via Pixabay https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3097806/hogs-look-to-round-out-the-week Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3097796/cattle-traders-look-to-prep-for-a-three-day-weekend Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:29:54 +0000 Live cattle futures closed with mixed trade, as August was down 60 cents and other contracts were up 7 to 50 cents. Open interest suggested a rotation of ownership, down 251 contracts on Wednesday There were a few cash sales of $403 dressed in the north on Wednesday, with live... Brown cow in field by TasfotoNL via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3097796/cattle-traders-look-to-prep-for-a-three-day-weekend Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3087674/hogs-face-wednesday-weakness Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:25:53 +0000 Lean hog futures were busy pulling back on Wednesday, with contracts 5 cents to $1.15 lower at the close. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $96.92 on Wednesday afternoon, down 66 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was 17 cents lower on June 29... Pig resting in pen on hay by Annette Meyer via Pixabay https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3087674/hogs-face-wednesday-weakness Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3087661/cattle-face-mixed-trade-on-wednesday Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:25:53 +0000 Live cattle futures closed with mixed trade, as August was down 60 cents and other contracts were up 7 to 50 cents . There were a few cash sales of $403 dressed in the north on Wednesday, with live trade at $255. The Wednesday Fed Cattle Exchange online saw no... Brown cow in field by Alexa via Pixabay https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3087661/cattle-face-mixed-trade-on-wednesday Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3084561/shootin-the-bull-about-extent-of-working-capital-to-manage Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:08:11 +0000 Cattle feeders are laden with working capital to manage, whether personal or borrowed. Cattle by Penny via Pixabay https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3084561/shootin-the-bull-about-extent-of-working-capital-to-manage Chris Swift https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3082682/cattle Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:19:09 +0000 Live cattle futures were 67 cents to $1.20 higher across the nearbys at midday. The Wednesday Fed Cattle Exchange online saw no sales on the 1,520 head offered, with just a couple bids of $253. Outside of that, there have been $252-255 bids across the country on Wednesday. Feeder cattle... Cow in pen at fair by sandsun via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3082682/cattle Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3082692/hogs-posting-mixed-trade-on-wednesday-with-front-month-losses Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:19:09 +0000 Lean hog futures are showing front month weakness of 55 to 65 cents on Wednesday, with some back months steady to 20 cents higher. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at 97.16 on Wednesday morning, up 11 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was 17... Black and brown pig in green pasture by LUNAMARINA via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3082692/hogs-posting-mixed-trade-on-wednesday-with-front-month-losses Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3075902/cattle-look-to-wednesday-trade-following-tuesday-losses Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:30:39 +0000 Live cattle futures were down 57 cents to $1.22 across the board on Tuesday. June futures expired at $258.20. Open interest was down 2,448 contracts on the day. Cash trade has been quiet this week with last week at northern sales of $260 and $258 in the South. Feeder cattle... Brown cow in field by TasfotoNL via iStock https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3075902/cattle-look-to-wednesday-trade-following-tuesday-losses Austin Schroeder https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3075912/hogs-look-to-wednesday-as-pork-prices-face-weakness Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:30:39 +0000 Lean hog futures were 47 to 92 cents higher in the nearbys on Tuesday, with deferred contracts down 32 to 47 cents. Open interest was down 3,363 contracts on the day. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at 97.58 on Tuesday afternoon. The CME Lean Hog Index was back... Piglets napping by Larry White via Pixabay https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3075912/hogs-look-to-wednesday-as-pork-prices-face-weakness Austin Schroeder