U.S. livestock: Cattle rise as USDA reports decline in inventory; hogs gain

Chicago dwell cattle and feeder contracts rose on Thursday because the USDA’s cattle on feed report confirmed cattle stock down two per cent in comparison with one yr in the past.

Most lively June dwell cattle closed at 204.075 cents per pound, up 2.000 cents. August dwell cattle futures closed at 200.125 cents, up 1.175 cents per pound.

Most lively Could feeder cattle closed at 286.850 cents a pound for a acquire of two.450 cents. August feeders settled at 290.875 cents, up 1.425 cents a pound.

The USDA reported selection boxed beef at $332.90 per cwt, down $0.63. Choose boxed beef gained $2.00 per cwt to finish the day at $316.39.

U.S. grains: Wheat up on US Plains dryness, soybeans fall on profit taking

Chicago wheat futures rose on Thursday, supported by concerns that forecasted rain will not be enough to alleviate dryness in some U.S. wheat production regions, analysts said.

Cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market totaled 11.6 million head on April 1. This was two per cent under April 1, 2024. Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a year-over-year decline of 1.8 per cent.

Placements in feedlots in March totaled 1.84 million head, 5 per cent above 2024.

Most lively lean hog futures settled at 98.025 cents per pound, up 0.075 cents. July lean hogs closed at 98.100 cents, up 0.200 cents per pound.

Pork carcass cutout worth gained $0.74 per cwt to settle at $92.78.

—Costs reported in U.S. {dollars}