Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels although a softer tone was noted late in the week. After two weeks of slightly higher values, buyers took on the attitude of cutting one’s coat according one’s cloth. Each cattle feeder appears to have his or her own view of the market and […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market establishes defensive tone
Klassen: Feeder market remains in summer doldrums
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable over the past week. Cattle weighing over 700 lbs. were under pressure while calves appeared to trade steady with week-ago levels. The Calgary Stampede period is one week that cattle men and women don’t worry about markets and just enjoy the celebration of fine culture. Small groups […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market weathering summer storms
Western Canadian feeder cattle were traded $3 to $5 below week-ago levels, with replacements over 700 lbs. absorbing the bulk of the decline. Despite the sharp drop in barley prices, uncertainty in the deferred cash fed cattle prices caused feedlots operators to back away from the market. Secondly, ideas are that yearling prices will weaken […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market enters summer doldrums
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced a softer tone over the past week as many auction barns are in summer holiday mode. Weakness in live and feeder cattle futures set a negative tone and by Friday, Alberta packers had dropped bids by nearly $12 on a dressed basis. Feedlot operators were once again on the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market well supported
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady with week-ago levels as volumes continue to decline into the summer months. The quality of cattle coming on the market this time of year is quite variable. Background operations are liquidating their final volumes and feeders over 800 lbs. set the market structure. Larger-frame mixed steers averaging […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market remains vulnerable
After a firmer tone the last two weeks, feeder cattle values felt sluggish across the Prairies. Western Canadian prices were quoted from unchanged to $5 lower; smaller sales with variable quality saw prices fall as much as $10 below week-ago levels. Feedlot operators were taken aback by the sharp decline in the live cattle futures […] Read more
Klassen: Drop in fed cattle prices weighs on feeder complex
Alberta fed cattle prices dropped sharply last week, with dressed sales falling $10 to $20 from seven days earlier. Despite the weakening Canadian dollar, wholesale beef prices also fell US$10/cwt which offset any currency benefit. Feedlot operators froze with disbelief as the market suffered one of the sharpest week-over-week declines in recent memory. The hot […] Read more
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-$12 lower compared to week-ago levels. Auction markets reported limited buying interest, with often only two or three larger feedlots stepping […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Fund selling drops CME live cattle limit down
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed sharply lower on Monday, with nearby contracts down by their three-cent-pr-pound daily price limit, shaken by sell stops and fund liquidation, traders said. April and June live cattle ended down by the three-cent limit at 128.475 and 119.175 cents/lb., respectively (all figures US$). Live […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market garners support
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively stable over the past week while prices in the major feeding regions were $2 to $5 higher. Alberta fed cattle prices were $2 higher, trading in the range of $170 to $172, which bolstered buying enthusiasm in the heavier weight categories. Feedlot operators in the Lethbridge area were […] Read more
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