Asia Commodities Day Ahead: Canada Confirms 14th Mad-Cow Case

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Canada confirmed its 14th case of mad- cow disease. Corn and soybeans declined. Cameco Corp. fell amid speculation efforts to start production at its flooded mine will be delayed further. Gold tumbled below $800 an ounce, capping the biggest weekly slide in 25 years. Cotton, cocoa and orange juice dropped.

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

Canadian Agency Confirms 14th Case of Mad-Cow Disease

Canada confirmed its 14th case of mad-cow disease, in a six- year-old beef cow from Alberta.

Corn, Soybeans Decline as Rising Dollar Cuts Commodity Allure

Corn fell the most in almost two weeks as the dollar approached a seven-month high, reducing the appeal of commodities as a hedge against inflation. Corn declined 27.75 cents, or 4.8 percent, to $5.495 a bushel in Chicago. Soybeans dropped 55 cents, or 4.3 percent, to $12.19 a bushel.

Wheat Falls on Concern Dollar Rally May Slow U.S. Grain Sales

Wheat fell the most in a week as the dollar gained against a basket of six major currencies including the yen and euro, making U.S. grain less attractive to overseas buyers. Wheat dropped 40.25 cents, or 4.5 percent, to $8.4925 a bushel in Chicago.

Cattle Drop on Speculation U.S. Output to Top Demand; Hogs Fall

Cattle declined the most in a month on speculation rising U.S. beef output will surpass consumer demand. Cattle slid 2.05 cents, or 1.9 percent, to $1.0585 a pound in Chicago. Feeder cattle dropped 0.9 cent, or 0.8 percent, to $1.14525 a pound. Hogs fell 0.525 cent, or 0.7 percent, to 75.55 cents a pound.

STEEL, IRON ORE, COAL & URANIUM

Cameco Falls on Concern New Flooding Will Delay Mine

Cameco Corp., the world's largest uranium producer, fell the most in 21 months in Toronto trading on speculation that company efforts to start production at the flooded Cigar Lake mine will be delayed further. Cameco plunged C$2.80, or 8.4 percent, to C$30.52.

PRECIOUS METALS, GEMS

Gold Has Biggest Weekly Drop in 25 Years as Dollar Strengthens

Gold dropped below $800 an ounce, capping the biggest weekly slide in 25 years, as the dollar surged against the euro, reducing the appeal of the metal as an alternative investment. Gold fell $22.40, or 2.8 percent, to $792.10 an ounce in New York. Silver fell $1.43, or 10 percent, to $12.93 an ounce.

Platinum, Palladium Plunge in N.Y. as Dollar Gains, Crude Falls

Platinum plummeted to the biggest weekly loss in almost eight years as the dollar strengthened and oil dropped, eroding demand for the metal as a hedge against inflation. Platinum fell $100.90, or 6.8 percent, to $1,388.20 an ounce in New York. Palladium tumbled $23.20 or 7.5 percent, to $284.80 an ounce.

INDUSTRIAL METALS, MINING

Copper Increases in New York on Signs of Reduced Production

Copper rose for the second time this week on signs of falling output of the metal used in pipes and wires. Copper gained 1.65 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $3.3145 a pound in New York.

SOFT COMMODITIES

Cotton Drops as Dollar Gain, Slowing Economy May Reduce Demand

Cotton futures fell to the lowest price since May on speculation that a weaker economy will slow demand for textiles and clothing as a stronger dollar makes the commodity more expensive for buyers using other currencies. Cotton lost 2.4 cents, or 3.5 percent, to 67.08 cents a pound in New York.

Cocoa Tumbles to 11-Week Low as Rising Dollar May Cut Demand

Cocoa fell to an 11-week low as the dollar strengthened, making futures in New York more expensive for investors and food processors holding other currencies. Cocoa tumbled $91, or 3.4 percent, to $2,587 a metric ton in New York.

Sugar Slides as Stronger Dollar Cools Demand for Raw Materials

Sugar dropped to the lowest in more than two weeks on speculation that a stronger dollar will reduce the appeal of contracts traded in New York for buyers using other currencies. The sweetener declined 0.27 cent, or 2 percent, to 13.12 cents a pound in New York.

Coffee Falls as Stronger Dollar May Erode Appeal of Commodities

Coffee futures fell for the third straight session on speculation the strengthening dollar will reduce the appeal of commodities traded in New York for buyers holding non-U.S. currencies. Coffee dropped 2.25 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $1.368 a pound in New York.

Orange Juice Slips as Stronger Dollar May Curb Commodity Demand

Orange-juice declined for the first time in four days as a stronger dollar increased the cost of commodities traded in New York for buyers holding other currencies. Orange juice slid 1.5 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $1.0625 a pound in New York.