Western Canadian feeder cattle prices appeared to shrug off all negative economic news and divorce from the fed cattle complex this past week. Volumes were once again quite thin, characterized by varying quality. Feedlot operators were active on all fronts, especially in southern Alberta where the barley harvest is in full swing. Heavier yearlings on […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market tenacious
Tyson cuts beef production due to cattle shortage
Reuters — Tyson Foods on Friday said it is permanently ceasing beef production at its plant in Denison, Iowa, effective immediately, as cattle ranchers work to rebuild shrunken herds following the severe Midwestern drought. The move by Tyson, the biggest U.S. meat processor, will affect 400 employees at the plant, which will continue byproduct rendering […] 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
More cattle heading to market as drought worsens
Emphasis was on growing the herd, but that’s been nearly abandoned due to dry conditions
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s just a trickle now, but there are fears of a flood of cattle going to market if the drought continues. “It’s a little too early to be splitting up pairs, but we are seeing some pairs sell,” said Anne Wasko, market analyst with Gateway Livestock Services. Sale figures are being closely watched these days […] Read more
Sell or hang on? Cattle producers facing tough choices
Some have already pulled the trigger and sold cattle, others are holding back and hoping they’ll have enough feed
Reading Time: 3 minutes It was supposed to be the year to grow the cattle herd — but Mother Nature and dry conditions across Alberta have changed all that. A lack of hay and pasture makes for tough choices and some are taking cattle to market. Viking Hutterite Colony usually buys calves, backgrounds them until spring, and then turns […] Read more
Drought creates speed bump for cattle herd expansion
CNS Canada — Expansion efforts in Canada’s cattle sector are likely taking a breather right now, as a lack of rain in Alberta and Saskatchewan creates challenges for ranchers trying to feed their animals. According to Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Inc. at Taber, Alta., some cattle in the western Prairies are already being moved […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market consolidates
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets continue to consolidate at the higher levels. Most auction markets were closed due to the Canada Day holiday, so all eyes were on focused south of the border for market sentiment. Average U.S. feeder prices were steady to $3 lower at major sales in Oklahoma and Missouri as the U.S. […] Read more
Klassen: Lower grain production weighing on feeder market
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a mixed tone over the past week, with auction markets reporting prices $3 lower to $3 higher in comparison to seven days earlier. The Prairie region continues to experience above-average temperatures causing significant deterioration to pasture and crops in Alberta and western Saskatchewan. Certain auction markets experienced slightly larger […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market experiences softer tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a soft tone this past week on very light volumes. It’s that time of year where producers market the “stragglers,” or late bloomers, that were not up to standard earlier in spring. Therefore, the market was difficult to define but the overall sentiment felt malleable with various-quality cattle on […] Read more
Fewer cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in May than anticipated
Chicago | Reuters –– The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots last month was lower than anticipated, a government report showed on Friday, reflecting healthy pastures that allowed ranchers to grow livestock longer outside of feedyards, said analysts. Producers retained more heifers to help restore the U.S. cattle herd, now at its third lowest […] Read more
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