Cattle futures rise on border closure; lean hogs fall

Live Cattle futures saw a significant increase, driven by the recent closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to imports. This supply disruption led to aggressive buying, with prices rising $10.93 from session lows. The August contract closed up $3.70 at $245.22. Feeder Cattle futures also benefited, climbing as traders filled technical gaps. Following a limit-up close in the prior session, trading limits expanded to $16, allowing August feeder cattle to reach an intraday high of $358.75 before settling near unchanged. In contrast, Lean Hog futures faced considerable selling pressure. Softening cash and cutout values eroded the week's gains, causing the July contract to plummet $2.95 and settle at $98.65, trading close to a fresh low for 2026. Despite futures declines, the CME Lean Hog Index extended its recent recovery, gaining $.26 on Friday. Market participants are closely monitoring evolving trade dynamics, technical chart patterns, and fundamental livestock market conditions.