Shootin' the Bull about commodities hinged on energy.

“Shootin’ The Bull”

by Christopher B Swift

3/23/2026

Live Cattle:

Commodities are believed being traded off the price movement of energy, and energy is believed being moved by comments the President made, that are questioned or unable to confirm.  While I won't say ever, but I can't recall a President having this much influence over free markets.  He is though, and there isn't much one can do about it at the moment.  Therefore, with none of the current events bullish the US economy or consumer, I maintain the same stance as I left with on Friday.  That being; keep a good scotch under a heavy load when pushing up hill.    

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Feeder Cattle:

Having seen the spreads between lighter weight cattle and fat cattle, the prices continually paid for lighter cattle, and the losses mounting on fed cattle, suggest a still widening divide between the two.  With price action believed dictated by the energy market, and no telling what will be said next, I continue to recommend maintaining all hedges.   ​

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​Corn:

​Corn lower and beans a little higher. Both appeared to be influenced by the energy markets with no reason I can see off hand for beans to be higher.

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Energy:​

​It is difficult to find the verbiage between the President and Iranian officials from this weekend. The President's statement at 6:05 this morning stated he had a good conversation with Iranian officials and granted a 5 day cease fire.  At that moment, it set off the Algorithmic computer programs and dropped crude oil by over $14.00 in 5 minutes flat.  Diesel fuel and gasoline were side by side in the decline.  Recall that the President was warned by Terry Duffy, CEO of the CME group, on the 13th to not intervene in the energy markets.  Potentially, this was a threat to the President and I think it possible Trumps comment this morning was to do exactly what he was warned not to do. All the more reason to not throw caution to the wind as the wind appears more like a tornado than anything else. 

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Bonds:

​Bonds soared.  Again, just simply another reaction of the energy market.  

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​​​​​​​​​​ “This is intended to be or is in the nature of a solicitation.”  Futures trading is not for everyone. The risk of loss in trading futures can be substantial; therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and there is no assurance that your trading experience will be similar to the past performance.