Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 20, 2026

Why It Matters

These price shifts influence farm income, feed costs, and commodity‑linked investment strategies, signaling market sentiment ahead of the planting season.

Key Takeaways

• Corn futures up 1.75 cents to $4.27.
• Soybeans slip 3.5 cents, closing at $11.37.
• Soybean meal climbs $5 to $309.80.
• Live cattle fall $1.42, settling at $242.
• Lean hogs gain 22 cents, reaching $93.67.

Pulse Analysis

The latest grain futures data reflects a nuanced market as corn nudged higher to $4.27 per bushel, driven by steady demand for ethanol and export optimism. Soybeans, however, slipped to $11.37, pressured by concerns over planting acreage and global supply dynamics. Meanwhile, soybean meal surged $5 to $309.80, underscoring robust livestock feed demand, while soybean oil modestly retreated. Wheat’s modest 14‑cent gain to $5.73 signals stable U.S. wheat outlook, and cotton’s 110‑point rise highlights seasonal buying ahead of the summer textile cycle.

Livestock and dairy futures painted a more bearish picture. Live cattle fell $1.42 to $242, and feeder cattle dropped $2.25 to $368.02, reflecting tighter cattle supplies and higher feed costs from rising grain prices. In contrast, lean hogs climbed 22 cents to $93.67, buoyed by strong pork demand in Asian markets. Class III milk slipped slightly, indicating marginal pressure on dairy margins. These movements affect farm profitability, shaping planting decisions and inventory strategies for agribusinesses.

Beyond agriculture, broader market indicators added context. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 230 points to 49,625.97, suggesting investor confidence despite commodity volatility. Gold’s $121.50 jump to $5,118.90 points to lingering inflation concerns, while crude oil’s modest $0.04 dip to $66.39 hints at a balanced energy market. Together, these signals help traders and producers gauge risk appetite, inflation expectations, and the interplay between commodity and equity markets as the 2026 agricultural season unfolds.