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Basic Fundamentals What Market Fundamentals
Can Affect The Live Cattle Futures?
In free market economies, supply and demand is the primary enabler for price
movement. Any outside forces that affect supply and demand eventually affect prices. When you are considering a trade in the
lean hogs market some of the basic fundamentals that you should consider are: 1.
Feed Feed costs represent approximately 70% of the production costs of pigs. Corn is the most
commonly used livestock feed in the United States. If the price of corn rises substantially,
farmers will tend to take their hogs to market at lower weights (younger) to avoid the high feed costs. That typically causes
lean hog futures prices to drop as more supply comes on line. 2. Weather When the weather turns very hot, the hogs turn inactive and have a tendency not
to be in prime breeding condition. A normal gestation period of four months leads to the seasonally low number of farrowings
(pig births) in December, January, and February. Cold weather and an ample supply of freshly harvested corn create excellent
breeding conditions from November through January. As a result of good breeding conditions, the largest number of pig farrowings
is between March and May. 3. USDA Reports You can estimate
the future amount of hog production by monitoring the USDA Hogs and Pigs Report. If the amount of newborn pigs are lower than
previous quarters, it is likely the hog production will be lower six months later when they are ready for market. 4. China The emergence of China onto the world economic stage has many implications for U.S.
hog producers. As China makes its transition from a developing economy to a developed one, the world will notice that 20%
of its population is becoming wealthier, demanding more goods, and eating more high quality food. Pork, being the primary
meat in Chinese diets, will face a demand surge. These are just some of the basic
fundamentals to keep in mind when you are considering a trade in the lean hogs market. Therefore, before opening up a commodity
account to trade lean hogs you should consult with a licensed commodity broker that follows the lean hogs market to discuss
investment strategies.
Click here to contact a commodities broker with experience in the lean hogs market.
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