Hog futures slip as cash market lacks seasonal strength - CME
Cattle futures slide on corn surge and technical selling
19 May 2026
1 minute read
By: Live cattle and feeder cattle futures weakened on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) on Monday on technical selling and sharp increases in the price of corn, Reuters reported, citing analysts.
CME June live cattle finished 0.525 cent lower at 253.375 cents per pound and August live cattle fell 0.775 cent to 247.150 cents per pound. August feeders decreased 2.600 cents to 358.850 cents per pound.
Technical selling weakened live cattle futures after they rallied the previous week, said Doug Houghton, an analyst with Brock Associates.
Last week the cash market, which climbed as meatpackers competed for inventories that have dropped to a 75-year low, provided support, traders said.
Houghton said there was also some concern among market players that the US Department of Agriculture's upcoming cattle on feed report will show increased placements compared to last month, said Houghton.
The US cattle herd shrank following a drought in the western US and the Trump administration halting imports of Mexican cattle to keep out the New World screwworm parasite.
In feeder cattle, pressure came from rising corn prices as futures shot up on the Chicago Board of Trade, making cattle more expensive to feed.
On Sunday, the White House announced that China had committed to buy US farm products during meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week.
Low cattle supplies raised costs for meatpackers, who lost an estimated $324.70 for each animal they slaughtered, according to HedgersEdge.com, compared to losses of $314.65 on Friday and $292.20 a week ago.
For hogs, pork processors were gaining about $1.15 per head.
Houghton said hog futures were falling on lack of seasonal strength in the cash market and some technical selling.
CME June lean hogs eased 0.225 cent to 98.525 cents per pound.
