Lean hogs retreat from highs despite weaker dollar - CME
Cattle futures edge higher as winter storms disrupt markets
29 January 2026
1 minute read
By: Lean hog futures fell back on Wednesday after reaching contract highs on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) the previous day as the dollar sank near a four-year low, making US commodities more competitive on the global market, reported Reuters.
Meanwhile, extreme cold and snow storms in the US impacted all livestock futures, slowing processing operations and creating harsh conditions for animals raised outdoors, according to brokers.
In a press release on Wednesday, the Texas Department of Agriculture said it had activated relief efforts to assist producers, ranchers and agribusinesses affected by the winter storm.
Weather conditions in Texas have caused "extensive agricultural damage, including barn collapses, fencing failures, feed losses, and other critical infrastructure impacts," the agency said in a statement.
Consultancy StoneX said there had been "no real activity" in cash markets this week, and cash feeders have also been weather-impacted with many southern sales canceled.
CME February live cattle finished 1.325 cents higher at 238.725 cents per pound, while March feeder cattle futures rose 3.850 cents to 362.000 cents per pound.
CME April lean hogs ended down 1.675 cents at 95.150 cents per pound.
Meatpackers slaughtered an estimated 493,000 hogs on Wednesday, up from 487,000 hogs a week ago, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). They slaughtered an estimated 112,000 cattle, down from 114,000 cattle a week earlier, the agency said.
The USDA priced choice boxed beef at $369.94 per hundredweight (cwt), up $1.63 from yesterday, and select boxed beef at $363.57 per cwt, down $1.62 from yesterday.
The USDA priced pork carcasses on Wednesday afternoon at $95.05 per cwt, down $0.64 from yesterday.
On Friday, the USDA is slated to issue a biannual update on US cattle inventories.
