Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $8-$12 on average while isolated sales dropped nearly $20. The sharp fall in the fed cattle market was the main reason for the deteriorating buying interest. Just when feedlots thought the worst was over, the market gave them another dose of reality. The retail market […] Read more
Klassen: Large beef supplies weigh on feeder market
Klassen: Limited buying interest softens feeder market
Just when I thought feeder cattle prices were stabilizing, once again the unexpected occurs. A sharp rally in U.S. grain futures, along with weaker fed cattle prices, caused western Canadian feeder cattle to trade $6-$12 lower compared to week-ago levels. Auction markets reported limited buying interest, with often only two or three larger feedlots stepping […] Read more
U.S. Nov. feedlot cattle placements slump to record low
Chicago | Reuters –– Cattle movement into U.S. feedlots in November fell 11 per cent from a year ago to their lowest level since the government began compiling the data in 1996, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed on Friday. Analysts attributed last month’s much smaller-than-expected placements to deteriorating margins that prompted feedyards to […] Read more
Klassen: Softer fed cattle market weighs on feeder prices
Western Canadian feeder cattle traded at similar levels to seven days earlier on very light volumes and little buying interest. Most auction barns were closed and cattle buyers are on holidays, so drawing market information is like the young cowboy at the high school dance — his mind is anywhere but on the markets. Limited […] Read more
Prairie feed wheat relatively strong against milling wheat
CNS Canada –– Relative strength in the feed wheat market in Western Canada compared to milling wheat is making feed channels a more attractive option for some growers with lower-end milling wheat left to sell. “Right now, feed is pretty well on par with a lot of the base milling-grade wheats,” said Jared Seitz, trade […] Read more
Zilmax cleared for component feeding in Canada
Canada has granted the makers of cattle feed additive Zilmax an expanded product label that allows for component feeding at the lower end of its dosage range — and draws the line for a maximum rate in complete feed. Merck Animal Health on Friday announced approval from Health Canada’s Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) to update […] Read more
December U.S. cattle placements slowed more than anticipated
Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in December 2014 fell versus last year, a government report showed on Friday, but more than was expected, said analysts. They said feedyards bought fewer calves for fattening, noting that expensive feed and pricey calves wore down margins. Ranchers held back heifers to […] Read more
October U.S. cattle placements not as slow as expected
Chicago | Reuters –– The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in October declined versus last year, a government report showed on Friday, but not by as much as expected, said analysts. While pricey calves discouraged feedlots from buying them, high-priced slaughter cattle and deteriorating summer pastures drew more livestock into feeding pens, they […] Read more
Merck takes steps to return Zilmax to cattle market
Reuters — Merck & Co. is taking steps to resume sales of its controversial cattle feed additive Zilmax by changing the way the drug is administered, hoping to recapture some market share in the beef industry, where the U.S. herd has the fewest animals in more than 60 years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration […] Read more
Klassen — feeder cattle market reflects mixed tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices reflected a mixed tone over the past week with values $3 to $5 higher on vaccinated preconditioned calves; unvaccinated calves just off their mothers were $3/cwt to as much as $10/cwt lower in some cases. Yearling prices were also quite variable by as much as $10/cwt despite the tightening supply […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
