Feeder cattle futures were up $3.50 to $3.70 on Monday. As of midday on Tuesday, they are again trading higher, by $.80 to $1.00. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back up $3.52 to $325.80 on July ...

The latest drought monitor shows conditions are not improving in eastern Iowa, with much of the region in a moderate drought. Farmers have had to change plans to keep cattle fed.

But for farmers, the land is getting dry, meaning grass for animals isn’t growing, and they might have to turn to feeding cattle hay months earlier than they usually do.

Midday cattle futures are down 37 to 65 cents. Feb contracts are 40 cents higher at $115.70. CME’s Feb cattle delivery notice shows that all 219 of the issued deliveries have been retendered at ...