Chicago | Reuters –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday it will require meat packers to report cattle purchases they make through online auctions to the agency starting next week, a move that stoked traders’ hopes for more transparent markets. USDA will begin including transactions from auctions on the Fed Cattle Exchange in pricing […] Read more
USDA requires meat packers to report online cattle auction deals
These are interesting times in the cattle and beef markets
There are a number of factors in play right now, and it’s a good time to step back and survey the wider landscape
Reading Time: 4 minutes Packers lifted a lot of cattle in late summer and it will be interesting to see as we move through the fall if those fed cattle slaughtered in late summer left a gap wide enough to pull other finished cattle ahead. This would bring lighter fed cattle to the kill floor which could be positive […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded steady to $5 higher over the past week largely due to stronger U.S cattle markets. Alberta packers were relatively quiet but fed cattle prices in the U.S. southern Plains jumped US$5, reaching US$110. This sudden reversal caused Canadian feedlot operators to hold out for higher prices and the positive […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market drops on fed cattle weakness
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $128-$130 this past week — the lowest levels since December 2013 and down nearly $18 from a month ago. Weekly beef production continues to defy expectations, bludgeoning feeding margins across the Prairies. Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quick to respond, trading $8-$10 below week-ago […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market softens
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, goes the old proverb, and there is no greater example than in the cattle complex. Placid feedlot operators watched in dismay as fed cattle sold in the range of $133-$135 this past week, down approximately $6 from week-ago levels and $10 below breakeven pen closeout values. The stomach-churning fed […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stable but demand remains soft
Comments from the country this week suggested the market was slightly firmer than week-ago levels. However, market reports stated prices were relatively unchanged and actually softened late in the week. The old saying that even a priest lies about his car’s gas mileage applies to overly optimistic cattlemen trying to bolster market enthusiasm. Feedlot margins […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market establishes defensive tone
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 cattle market comes back to life
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $4-$6 higher on average — in some cases as much as $10 higher in the major feeding regions of Alberta. A couple of auction barns held their first yearling sale of the year and optimism returned with a vengeance. A minor bounce in feeder and live cattle futures along […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market seeking stability
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continued on a downward trajectory trading $3-$5 below week-ago levels. Erratic buying interest resulted in inconsistent price action across the Prairies which made the market difficult to define. Smaller groups of various quality cattle were on offer, justifying the softer tone, but feedlot operators demonstrated unwavering fortitude even on genetically […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market remains sluggish
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3 to as much as $10 below week ago levels due to deteriorating feedlot margins and building beef supplies. Once again the bulk of the pressure was on the heavier weight categories as the deferred live cattle futures made fresh contract lows. Alberta packers showed limited interest in fed […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
