Well, it appears at the close today that both longs and shorts, and those wanting to be long or short, of those not wanting to be long or short, were collectively holding their breath for the next shoe...

Futures traders are on the cusp of taking basis back to negative.  Backgrounders are urged to use this sharp, $10.00 narrowing of the basis in just 7 trading days.

Fat futures were a little higher.  The squeeze of margins is the most interesting aspect with a belief of cattle on feed over 12 million head and a scramble to bid higher for incoming inventory.

Farmer feeders may be on the forefront of this with corn having traded lower this week.  Whatever it is that sparked the buying, it is being done in the face of a new administration that is hellbent on...

The trend is well established of producing more beef from fewer cattle, as well as increased imports and decreased exports. Therefore, until these trends are broken, one should not expect a surge in heifer...

The feeder cattle index traded under $249.09 today to $249.02.  This overlaps the previous low of $249.09 from which the move to current high of $251.20 started.

This is the way I see it and not to be confused with fact.  The US dollar was moving sharply higher and bonds sharply lower beginning in October of this year.

A volatile start to the week.  The bulk of trading has taken place within the first minute of trading at the opening.

In my opinion, a great deal of resolve has been seen this week.  A new Presidential administration, the Fed lowered rates, and cattle/beef seemingly made highs for which few were willing to pay.

Although the open interest increases have subsided a little, the interest in the market is increasing significantly.  With recognition of the situation the new long futures positions are in for live cattle,...