Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $5 higher to $5 lower; however, yearlings were a solid $2 to $4 lower. Negative feeding margins over the past month, along with weakness in the deferred live cattle futures, set a negative tone in the heavier weight classes. The calf market appears to be […] Read more
Klassen: Tight margins weigh on feeder cattle
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle climb as cash prices seen rising
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose on Monday as profitable packer margins and firm beef prices fueled expectations that cash cattle would trade at higher prices this week. December live cattle finished up 1.25 cents/lb. at 119.825 cents after holding chart-based support at the 50-day moving average around 118.675 (all […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market maintains upward trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable this past week. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions where markets traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels; however, Alberta steer prices were relatively unchanged but heifers traded $5 to $8 higher. Available feeder supplies will tighten as we approach the end […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle surge to contract highs on higher cash prices
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. live cattle and feeder cattle futures contracts surged to lifetime peaks on Monday, boosted by unexpectedly high-priced sales in cash cattle markets that occurred after the futures close on Friday, traders said. Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange surpassed Friday’s highs when trade resumed on Monday and some contracts […] Read more
Klassen: Friendly beef price outlook supports feeder market
Compared to last week, yearling prices were $2 to as much as $5 higher, while calf markets traded $3-$7 above week-ago levels. The yearling run is coming to a close and feedlots scrambled to secure yearling ownership. Across Alberta, feature lots of high-quality 900-lb. steers were trading around $190 and this set the tone for […] Read more
Klassen: Strong Canadian dollar weighs on feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $3-$6 on average while calf values dropped $5 to as much as $10 in some cases. Most auction barns held feature yearling sales last week; there were small groups of calves available but the market was quite variable and hard to define in the lighter […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle gain on firmer beef prices
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled moderately higher on Wednesday, with help from short-covering and improved wholesale beef values, said traders. December received added support from fund buying after the contract topped the 10-day moving average of 109.648 cents (all figures US$). October live cattle finished up 0.275 cent/lb. at […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle slump to two-month low
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures extended losses to a more than two-month low on Wednesday as investors liquidated long positions amid declining wholesale beef prices and expectations for weaker cash cattle markets, traders and analysts said. Higher corn futures also boosted feed costs for fattening cattle, weighing on feeder cattle futures, while […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle sag with cash, beef prices
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell for a second straight day on Thursday, pressured by fallen cash and wholesale beef values, said traders. June, which will expire on June 30, closed 0.875 cent/lb. lower at 118.625 cents (all figures US$). Most actively-traded August finished 1.075 cents lower at 114.275 cents. […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs mostly higher on short-covering
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. livestock futures were mostly higher on Friday, with cattle prices stabilizing after Thursday’s multiweek lows and hogs consolidating in the middle of their recent trading ranges. Most-active Chicago Mercantile Exchange August live cattle settled 0.675 cents higher at 118.175 cents/lb. (all figures US$). June live cattle futures finished 0.8 cent […] Read more
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