Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Compared to three weeks ago, Alberta prices were steady to $2/cwt higher while in Saskatchewan, prices were $8-$10/cwt higher on average with lighter-weight cattle jumping as much as $15. For example, in central Alberta, higher-quality 800-lb. steers were trading from $230 to $235 and 600-pounders were valued […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market looks upward
Quality of available cattle contributes to volatility
U.S. livestock: CME hogs up off three-month low on bargain buying
Chicago cattle futures also gain
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures bounced from a three-month low on Monday and settled higher for the first time in eight sessions in a technical and bargain-buying rally to start the first full trading week of the year. Cattle futures also gained on improved packer demand following recent weeks of […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs extend slide to three-month low
Cattle also lower; "no urgency in this market right now"
Chicago | Reuters — CME lean hog futures sank to a three-month low and closed weaker for the seventh consecutive session on Friday on concerns about weak demand, brokers said. An increase in hog weights also hung over the market, after recent winter storms delayed processing and backed up livestock on farms, brokers said. Pork […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs touch three-week low
Most live cattle futures settle lower
Chicago | Reuters — CME lean hog futures set a three-week low on Thursday, under pressure from losses in broader markets and following recent weakness in cash hog prices, analysts said. Feeder cattle futures also ended lower as the market pulled back one day after hitting a September high. Livestock markets took signals from a […] Read more
Environmental stewardship award nominations open
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award. The award recognizes a beef producer “who best exemplifies environmentally sustainable cattle production.” Producers can be nominated by an individual or organization, or apply themselves. A panel of representatives from conservation and agriculture assess the candidate by examining the stewardship goals and […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hogs weaken, cattle rise as winter storms hit
Hogs touch lowest since Dec. 16
Chicago | Reuters — CME lean hog futures fell to their lowest price in more than two weeks on Wednesday and live cattle futures strengthened as snowstorms continued to disrupt livestock operations. Feeder cattle futures reached their highest price since September. Wintry weather in the northern U.S. Plains has delayed livestock shipments, reduced cattle weights […] Read more
Indo-Pacific plan wins kudos from cattle group
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Cattle Association is hailing Ottawa’s plan to boost trade with the Indo-Pacific region. About 20 per cent of beef exports already head to the region, with Japan, China, South Korea, Vietnam and Hong Kong being the top markets. The prospects for increasing beef exports are good, it said. “The Indo-Pacific region holds the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hog futures near two-week lows in broad selloff
Boxed beef values limit losses in cattle
Chicago | Reuters — CME Group livestock futures hit their lowest prices in about two weeks on Tuesday on profit-taking and widespread selling that dragged down commodity and financial markets, analysts said. Traders booked profit in live cattle after the most-active contract reached a fresh high on Thursday, brokers said. Benchmark CME February live cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market to start 2023 on firm tone
Counter-seasonal behaviour expected
There were no market reports last week due to the holiday season; however, I still received a few calls from cattle producers regarding the feeder market outlook for the first quarter of 2023. The feeder market finished 2022 at 52-week highs. Steers averaging 500 lbs. were readily trading over the psychological $300 level while 900-lb. […] Read more
Consider feed requirements for beef cattle during cold weather
A measure called LCT can be used to calculate the increase in total digestible nutrients required
Reading Time: 3 minutes When the weather outside is frightful, cattle need a helping hand. “The ability of cattle to withstand cold conditions is impacted by the lower critical temperature, or LCT,” said Karl Hoppe, a livestock specialist with North Dakota State University’s extension service. “When the temperature drops below the LCT, maintenance requirements will increase and performance can […] Read more
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