Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were trading $3-$5 lower; markets for calves and feeders fit for grass were unchanged to $3 lower. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $242 on a dressed basis, down $20-$28 from seven days earlier. The sharp drop in the fed cattle market caused feedlot operators to […] Read more
Klassen: Fed cattle market drops, feeder market follows
Klassen: Spring weather revitalizes feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4-$6 higher. Yearlings led the charge higher with quality packages selling $5 to as much as $8 above week-ago levels. The return of seasonal temperatures provided a shot of adrenaline for the feeder market. There are quite a few operations carrying minimal numbers because of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Stronger export demand appears to be supporting the market in Manitoba and certain pockets in Saskatchewan; however, Alberta feedlot interest remains subdued. Adverse weather continues to plague southern Alberta. Snow and freezing temperatures followed by brief melting periods have resulted in very poor […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market continues lower trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 to $8 below week-ago levels; noticeable declines were noted in the lighter weight categories, which were down $6 to as much as $10. Adverse weather continues to plague the feedlot regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Another snowfall over the weekend caused pen conditions to erode to lowest levels […] Read more
Cattle prices are expected to be good this year — but not 2017 good
There will be more beef on the market but a robust economy should keep demand strong
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cattle producers hit it out of the park in 2017 — but this year is going to be a completely different ball game. “Last year, we saw some pretty big home runs, and I don’t really anticipate that for this year,” said Brian Perillat, manager and senior analyst at Canfax. “Small wins might be all […] Read more
Strong demand pushing up basis
Reading Time: < 1 minute Strong packer demand in Western Canada has pushed Alberta cash prices for slaughter steers higher than the Nebraska cash price. “Our beef cow herd numbers have been flat compared to the expansion of the U.S. beef cow herd,” said provincial livestock market analyst Jason Wood. “This has been a big driver to keep more cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder markets experience lacklustre trade
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels as extremely cold temperatures hinder market activity. Most auction barns reported small groups of various quality cattle on offer, which made the market hard to define. In the major markets of Alberta such as Lethbridge, there were very few yearlings available. This forced major […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Lean hogs rally on short-covering, bargain buying
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rallied more than two per cent on Monday in a short-covering and bargain-buying rebound from steep declines last week and as cash pork prices rose. The actively-traded Chicago Mercantile Exchange April contract touched a 4-1/2 month low early in the trading session but recovered to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes on U.S. inventory data
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged but there was a wide variation across the Prairies. Major markets in Alberta traded steady to as much as $5 higher, while Saskatchewan and Manitoba prices were quoted $3 higher to as much as $5 lower. Major finishing operations in Alberta focused on […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market grinds lower
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $4-$6 lower; however, yearlings and heavier calves experienced a week-over-week decline of $4 to as much as $8 with significant weakness noted in the eastern Prairie regions. Finishing feedlots continue to sit on their hands. Order buyers were active on a scale-down basis and surprised […] Read more
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