Today’s trading was mostly lower based on South American weather and the ever-present tariff threat. Overall, the first week in February 2025 experienced the following:
It was the fourth week in a row higher for SRW, and the third week up for HRW and HRS. It was the second week in a row for otherwise bullish cattle to lose value, and hogs were the beneficiary with a second week higher. HRW was the outsized gainer, and feeder cattle the biggest loser. Soymeal was the most volatile, rising over 4 percent, then falling 4 percent to end up almost unchanged.
The South American weather outlook is not great, but it is better and that put another damper on Chicago. Showers are lightening up, allowing more windows for soyb...
Key Takeaways: The U.S. herd is stabilizing, but growth remains modest. Total goat inventory rose 1 percent in 2026, while meat-goat numbers increased 2 percent, which is not enough to materially reduce import dependence. Domestic slaughter is rising from a low base. Commercial slaughter incre...
What You Need to Know: U.S. fertilizer production is highly concentrated, but concentration alone does not establish that producers are operating as a cartel. Imports introduce competition unevenly: they supply nearly all U.S. potash consumption but play much smaller roles in domestic ammonia...
Given yesterday’s headlines, today’s market action may not be what many expected. The dollar is little changed, crude oil is pulling back and stocks are trading higher. Crude may be the biggest piece of today’s reversal. Saudi Arabia is offering additional crude to Asian buyer...
