DELMARVA — Cattle and hog futures declined Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as traders exercised caution ahead of Friday’s USDA On Feed report. Live cattle for April delivery dropped $2.12 to $233.27 per hundredweight, while June contracts fell $2.30 to finish at $231.70. Feeder cattle saw steeper losses with April down $6.07 to $347.75. […]
DELMARVA — Cattle and hog futures declined Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as traders exercised caution ahead of Friday’s USDA On Feed report.
Live cattle for April delivery dropped $2.12 to $233.27 per hundredweight, while June contracts fell $2.30 to finish at $231.70. Feeder cattle saw steeper losses with April down $6.07 to $347.75. The pullback reflects caution as the industry waits for federal cattle inventory numbers due out Friday morning.
Policy
An ethanol industry leader is warning that the Department of Energy may exclude sustainable farming practices from final rules governing the 45Z biofuel production tax credit. The concern centers on whether low-carbon farming techniques will be recognized in the tax incentive program that affects corn growers across the region.
Markets
Corn futures are trading mixed Friday morning. Soybeans are seeing continued strength as analysts predict a shift of 4 to 5 million acres away from corn nationwide in 2026 plantings. Wheat remains steady in early trading.
Locally, corn is bringing $3.85 to $4.00 per bushel on Delmarva, with soybeans at $9.50 to $9.75.
Forecast
Friday will bring sunny skies and temperatures reaching 60 degrees under light south winds. Rain showers are likely Friday night with lows near 46 degrees. Saturday clears out with mostly sunny skies and highs back to 60 degrees.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, March 20, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
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