Reading Time: 4 minutes If you’re confused about the cattle market, you’re not alone — it is not behaving normally. “We’ve got some interesting things going on,” said Anne Wasko, market analyst with Gateway Livestock. “Over the last six to eight months, we’ve had feeder cattle moving north since last fall. This year, we’ve got feeder cattle going south. […] Read more
It’s strange times in cattle markets – and normal seems a long ways off
Prices, feeder cattle movement, and the basis are all behaving strangely this year, says analyst
Klassen: Feeder market softens on adverse weather
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable due to adverse weather. Rain and snow plagued much of the Prairies, which dictated buying behaviour. Yearlings traded within $5 on either side of unchanged; major feedlots focused on local cattle, which caused the Alberta markets to trade at a small premium to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market eyes feed grain prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were $4 on either side of unchanged and the market was quite variable across the Prairies. Strength was noted early in the week but feedlot operators pulled in the reins on Thursday and Friday. Strength in the barley market along with lower feeder cattle prices south of […] Read more
Klassen: Strong demand drives yearlings higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 higher, with quality packages advancing $4-$6. Feedlot operators shrugged off the weaker live cattle futures as feed grain prices came under pressure. Cattle brokers were carrying a full deck of orders, which allowed for limited slippage. Feedlots are anxious to secure ownership early in the […] Read more
Klassen: Small volumes characterize feeder cattle market
It’s that time of year when the feeder cattle market experiences a calm before the storm. The fall run will get underway over the next three weeks and recent market activity appears to be quite positive. Last week, yearlings and calves traded $3 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. However, larger […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger beef demand underpins feeder market
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 to $4 higher on average while calves were relatively unchanged. It appears that yearling supplies could be down 2 per cent to 4 per cent this fall which has feedlots being more aggressive early in the season. Major markets in Alberta led the charge higher […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market jumps on optimistic outlook
Western Canadian yearling prices were slightly softer during the second week of July, due to the historical high weekly marketings of feeder cattle south of the border; however, the market fully recovered last week. Feeder cattle prices tend to make a seasonal high in late July and this year is no exception. Market reports in […] Read more
Klassen: Yearlings lead feeder complex higher
Compared to last week, yearlings traded $3 lower to as much as $8 higher. Lower supplies made the market hard to define in some regions but quality packages were very well bid. Heifers were somewhat softer but overall, the market continues to strengthen. Larger operations in southern Alberta were once again leading the charge higher […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker barley prices enhance yearling prices
Compared to last week, yearlings traded $3 to as much as $8 higher, with strong buying interest noted from Lethbridge-area feedlots. Supplies of quality feeders are rather snug at this time of year and buyers were extremely aggressive on local packages. Prices in the non-major feeding areas appeared to lag southern Alberta markets but orders […] Read more
U.S. feedlots draw more cattle than expected in May
Chicago | Reuters — Ranchers in May drove more cattle into U.S. feedlots than anticipated compared with the same period a year ago, said analysts after Friday’s U.S. Department of Agriculture monthly Cattle on Feed report. The data also showed the June 1 feedlot cattle supply climbed 4.1 per cent from a year earlier — […] Read more