Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $12-$15 on average, with fleshier unweaned calves trading down $20-$25. Major feedlot operators reined in buying interest across the Prairies as fed cattle and wholesale beef prices remain under pressure. Feeding margins continue to deteriorate beyond pain thresholds and the backlog of market-ready feedlot supplies […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market falls sharply
What a year for cattle — but sharpen your pencils for 2016
Market expert Anne Wasko says a 3.5-million-head increase in the U.S. herd is going to be the story going forward
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cattle prices may be ending the year on a low note, but even so, it’s been a record-breaking run. “Averages are averages, but 2015 will go down in the record books for the cycle highs for Canada,” said Anne Wasko, marketing analyst with Gateway Livestock Marketing. “Everybody’s focusing on today, and of course, the market’s […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle remain vulnerable
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were once again quite volatile this past week as market continues to digest overwhelming fed cattle supplies and lacklustre beef demand. In Alberta, calves under 700 lbs. were steady to $5 lower on average while heavier calves and yearlings were $3 to as much as $10 lower. In the eastern […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle stabilize near annual lows
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $5 lower to $5 higher relative to week-ago levels. The market was quite variable across the Prairies, with eastern markets coming under more pressure comparable to southern Alberta. Feedlot operators and backgrounding farmers that were holding back on purchases earlier in the fall were stepping forward more aggressively this […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed cattle pressure feeder market
Alan Paton stated when men are ruled by fear, they strive to prevent the very changes that will abate it. The feeder cattle market is contending with a negative round of feeding margins over the next few months, which continues to result in weaker values. Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally $3 to $8 […] Read more
U.S. feedlot cattle placements hit nearly 20-year low
Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle placed into U.S. feedlots last month declined four per cent from a year ago to their lowest level for October since the government began tabulating the data in 1996, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed on Friday. October’s placement results nearly matched forecasts by analysts, who […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlots curb buying interest
Despair is the price one pays for setting an impossible aim. Given the phone calls over the past week, producers have been expecting something the market cannot offer. Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were under severe pressure, with 700-plus-pound cattle down $8-$12 from seven days earlier; calves under 700 lbs. traded $4-$8 below week-ago levels. […] Read more
Klassen: Quality calves support feeder market
They say a sudden windfall can provide a false expectation of future performance. This is definitely true of the cattle feeding business. Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continued on a mixed volatile tone over the past week, trading $10 lower to as much as $10 higher. Feedlot operators shrugged off the sharply lower live cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stronger but volatile
The Western Canadian feeder cattle market appeared to gain momentum this week. Feeder cattle prices were extremely volatile compared to last week trading $5 lower to as much as $10 higher in the Eastern Regions. When April live cattle futures were higher, the bids flowed more aggressively but on days when the futures struggled, buyers […] Read more
Klassen: Live cattle futures lead feeder market higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continued to climb last week for the second week in a row, as feedlot buying interest absorbed larger available supplies. Calves over 600 lbs. and yearlings were $3-$6 above week-ago levels on average while calves under 600 lbs. traded $5-$10 higher. Weakness in the Canadian dollar enhanced demand from south […] Read more
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