Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings sold $3-$5 higher while calves traded $6 to as much as $10 higher. The return of moderate temperatures enhanced buying enthusiasm across the Prairies. Strength in deferred live cattle futures appeared to offset strong feed grain values. Yearling prices were rather soft through January and the first half […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle demand surges
Cow-calf producers already thinking spring
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures fall as supplies seen rising
April lean hogs up from Friday
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell on Monday, pressured by expectations of rising supplies as improving weather conditions in the southern U.S. Plains will allow meat processors to increase their slaughter, traders said. A deep freeze last week across Texas and the southern U.S. Plains caused power failures that shut down meat […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle end week lower
Hogs down on Olymel's plan to ship Canadian hogs south
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures rose on Friday, but failed to end the week higher as a cold snap across the U.S. Plains and into Texas hampered slaughterhouses and backed up cattle, traders said. “There’s still a big mess,” said Dennis Smith, commodity broker at Archer Financial. “The good news is, the […] Read more
Are you a cattle producer thinking about EU certification?
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has a resource for producers wanting their herds to be eligible for EU beef programs. Cow-calf producers and feedlot operators must meet specific production requirements for cattle used to produce beef for export to the European Union. That includes not using growth-enhancing products (GEPs). The CCA web page has a summary […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures dip on slaughter delays
Lower supply expectations support hog futures
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell on Thursday as short-term processing delays caused by power outages and frigid weather backed up cattle and softened cash prices, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange April live cattle futures settled down 1.225 cents at 122.925 cents/lb., while the spot February contract ended 0.175 cents lower at […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures sag as weather stalls slaughter pace
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle and hog futures declined on Wednesday as wintry weather and power outages hampered meat-packing operations, slowing the pace of slaughter and reducing demand for market-ready animals, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange April live cattle futures settled down 1.65 cents at 124.15 cents/lb., while the spot February contract ended down […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures mostly firm on wintry Plains weather
April hogs stay within Friday's range
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed mostly higher on Tuesday as frigid conditions gripped the U.S. Plains and Midwest, limiting the movement of animals into meat plants and threatening to reduce cattle weights, traders said. However, rallies were limited as wintry weather and power outages prompted meat-packing plants to slow the slaughter […] Read more
Klassen: Cold weather slows feeder cattle market activity
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Extreme temperatures blanketed Western Canada last week. Many auction barns cancelled sales or had limited numbers on offer. Buyers attended sales either in person or via the internet, which was supportive to the overall price structure. Many backgrounders and cow-calf producers delayed sales […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally
Cold U.S. weather in focus
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures rallied on Friday, supported by cold weather in the United States that was making it hard to put weight on animals. “Weather remains front and center for cattle producers, bitter cold temps will be with us through the weekend and also some sizable snow totals in the southeast […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs rise to four-month high on supply woes
February live cattle down, April up
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures rose for the seventh time in eight sessions on Thursday, hitting a four-month high on concerns about tight supplies, traders said. “There are a lot of empty barns out here,” Don Roose, president of U.S. Commodities in West Des Moines, Iowa said. Live cattle futures were mixed, with […] Read more
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