U.S. wholesale beef prices surged higher this past week as stronger retail and restaurant demand absorbed the larger beef stocks in storage. Alberta packers’ average purchase price was $202.50 and with pen break-even closeout prices near $188, the healthy margin structure renewed buying confidence in the feeder market. All weight categories experienced a stronger tone, […] Read more
Klassen: Strong beef prices spill over into feeder market
Klassen: Feeder cattle spurt higher on stronger beef prices
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were solidly $3 to $5 higher on average this past week compared to seven days earlier. Improved beef demand has drawn down stocks in the production pipeline, allowing packers to increase bids for fed cattle. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $201 to $202, up $2 […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market reflects diverse tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle traded from $4 lower to $3 higher over the past week. Feeders coming on the market at this time of year have various quality features which caused a wide range of prices for similar-weight cattle. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $199 to $200, down $2 from […] Read more
Klassen: Rejuvenated interest stabilizes feeder market
After a softer tone during the third week of April, western Canadian feeder cattle values stabilized trading steady to $5 higher on average this past week. Notable gains were noted on cattle under 700 pounds in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where prices were $3 to as much as $8 higher. Available feeder cattle supplies are starting […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market’s upward momentum eases
Western Canadian cattle prices were extremely volatile this past week, trading $2 higher to as much as $5 lower in comparison to seven days earlier. The feeder cattle market appeared to stall out at the higher levels, with most auction barns experiencing smaller volumes. Spring-like temperatures and seeding preparation kept the small cattle farmer/producer at […] Read more
Klassen: Expansionary activity drives feeder market higher
I know this may sound redundant, but western Canadian feeder cattle traded $2 to $5 higher last week and in some cases as much as $10 above week-ago levels. Strong gains were noted across the Prairies on all weight categories. Feather-light steer calves under 500 pounds touched the magical $400 level in eastern regions; 700-lb. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle upward momentum continues
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite volatile over the past week, trading steady to $8 higher in some cases. Noticeable gains were seen on cattle under 700 pounds, which traded $3 to $8 higher compared to week-ago levels. Cattle over 700 lbs. were $3 to $4 higher in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while shorter-keep replacements […] Read more
Klassen: Record fed prices lead feeder market higher
Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices traded $3 to $5 higher over the past week, with lighter weight categories under 700 pounds jumping $8 to $10 in some cases. Renewed buying interest surfaced based on strength in Alberta fed cattle prices, which traded as high as $198. Improving feedlot margins in the nearby and deferred positions […] Read more
Klassen: Higher fed cattle prices pull up feeder values
Fed cattle in Alberta were trading at $191 this past week, which set a positive tone in the feeder complex. Across the Prairies, heavier quality replacements over 700 pounds posted gains of $2 to $4 while lighter-weight cattle were $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier. Feedlot margins improved with break-even pen closeouts […] Read more
Klassen: Demand varies for feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable over the past week. Stronger demand was noted in the major feeding regions such as southern Alberta where top-quality steers weighing just over 600 pounds reached $288. Manitoba prices were also steady to $3 higher on buying interest from Eastern Canada and south of the border. However, […] Read more
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