CattleLink Market View

Live cattle: Last week, the live cattle complex scaled mostly higher, and was relieved to see stronger trade in the fed cash cattle market on Friday. Northern dressed cattle traded at mostly $388, which was $7 higher than the previous week’s weighted average. Southern live cattle traded $1 higher at $249. On Monday, the market was pressured to trade lower — but that largely stemmed from external pressures. 

Feeder cattle: Last week, the feeder cattle complex mainly traded in the same upper manner that the live cattle complex did, but was pressured to trade lower on Monday when grain prices and external pressures grew to be too much to bear for the market. 

Lean hogs: The lean hog complex rallied throughout last week’s trade, as the complex was no longer up against any immediate resistance pressure after falling substantially lower since the beginning of February.

Corn: May corn last week finished down 2 1/4 cents and closed up 1/2 cent on Monday in quiet trade to end Monday at $4.40 1/4.

Soybean Meal: May soymeal finished down $0.30 last week and closed down $1.30 to settle at $312.50.