Mike Cowbrough's Blog (2)

Will Turmoil in Venezuela Impact US Agriculture

Venezuela’s current instability raises questions about future U.S. ag exports. Will turmoil create new opportunities—or shrink the market?

Ontario Farmers -- Share Your 2026 Planting Plans and Win Big!

Want a sneak peek at Ontario’s 2026 planting intentions? Complete our quick survey for valuable insights, a free report, and a chance to win big!

Registration is now open for the 2026 March Classic

Grain Farmers of Ontario, the province’s?largest commodity organization,?representing?Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers,?has opened registration for the 2026 March Classic – Breaking New Ground: Embracing Change. 

Hog markets rebound despite ample pork supplies - CME

Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) cattle and hog futures climbed on Tuesday on position squaring between the Christmas and New Year holidays, Reuters reported, citing analysts. CME February live cattle settled 1.500 cents higher at 230.475 cents per pound, and March feeder cattle settled 2.900 cents higher at 344.575 cents per pound. CME benchmark February lean hog futures rose 0.975 cent to 85.450 cents per pound. Cattle futures were buoyed as packers worked quickly with a short week ahead of the New Year holiday, according to an analyst note. But Austin Schroeder, a commodity analyst with Brugler Marketing and Management, said the jumps in both cattle and hog futures were mostly attributable to traders positioning on a day of light trade between two major holidays. Lean hogs bounced back after falling on Monday, with the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) quarterly hogs and pigs report last week showing larger numbers than expected, analysts said. The USDA on Tuesday afterno

Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of December 22, 2025

The Western Canadian fed market was a little disappointing given dressed sales in Eastern Canada were $10–20/cwt stronger last week. Last week, the Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $294/cwt live, fully steady with the previous week. Light trade was reported with dressed sales ranging from $492.00–493.50/cwt FOB the feedlot. Competition on the cash market was limited, with one packer not bidding on cattle. Cattle that traded were scheduled anywhere from immediate to mid-January delivery, depending on the packer. Last week’s Alberta fed cash-to-futures basis was reported at -$19.83/cwt, weaker than the five-year average. The Canfax steer and heifer prices closed the week steady to $2/cwt lower. The largest week-over-week price decline was on lightweight calves, with prices $9–10/cwt softer. Last week, feeders weighing over 800 pounds traded $1–4/cwt stronger. From their lows in late November, Alberta 550-pound steers have rallied $15/cwt, while same-weight heifers