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Feeder, live cattle futures fall on profit taking Profit-taking pulled down live cattle and feeder cattle futures on Thursday after the markets galloped to contract highs this week, reported Reuters. Traders kept a close eye on cash prices that influence futures after the cash market set an all-time high last week. Futures could backpedal if cash prices do not set new highs again this week, traders said.

Cattle markets decline following all-time highs Live cattle futures ended nearly flat on Wednesday after the market hit all-time highs during the previous session, as traders watched to see how much meatpackers would pay for livestock this week, reported Reuters. Feeder cattle futures fell in a setback from contract highs reached on Tuesday. Futures for both markets climbed recently due to strong cash prices, historically tight US supplies and strong demand for beef among consumers.

Slaughter accelerated amid supply glut China's pork production rose 4.2% in the first quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, government data showed on Thursday, as hog producers accelerated slaughtering to address a supply glut, Reuters reported. Output from January through March in the world's largest pork-producing country surged to 16.69 million metric tons, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed.

Franz Waxenecker Senior Director Precision Services at dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition and Health

Conab lifts forecasts for corn and cotton too Brazil's 2025/26 soybean output is expected to reach a record 179.15 million metric tons, Reuters reported, citing national crop agency Conab on Tuesday, slightly raising its March forecast of 177.85 million tons. Brazil's second-corn crop output is now forecast at 109.12 million tons, up from 108.43 million tons previously.

Cattle futures surge to record highs Live cattle futures soared to records on Tuesday as traders braced for stronger beef demand among US consumers over the summer and anticipated higher cash prices as the nation's herd remains historically small, reported Reuters. Demand for beef, which has been robust despite lofty prices, typically rises during the summer as consumers head outside for cookouts.

Brazilian inspection delays weigh on March arrivals China's soybean imports rose 14.9% in March on the year, but kept well below analysts' expectations, weighed down by delayed shipments from Brazil because of tougher inspections to rule out contamination, reported Reuters. Total imports stood at 4.02 million metric tons, up from 3.5 million a year earlier, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Tuesday.

Cattle futures slip after life-of-contract highs Live cattle futures fell on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) on Monday as traders booked profits after the market set life-of-contract highs last week, Reuters reported, citing traders. Prices had climbed recently on strong cash markets, tight cattle supplies and robust consumer demand for beef.

Zoetis developed the Individual Sow Care program to help caregivers learn how to catch signs of illness early. Key takeaways Many factors affect sow mortality, making it hard to identify causes on farm. Early disease intervention may be important to reducing sow mortality. Caregivers can watch for signs of illness to solve problems early.

Shipments surge 32% as Philippines and Japan demand soars Brazilian pork exports hit a record high in March, with 153,800 tons shipped, up 32.2% from 116,300 tons in the same month last year, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). Export revenue also set a record, reaching $361.6 million in March, up 30.1% from $278 million in the same month of 2025.