Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. The feed grains market is writing the story for the feeder market. August feeder cattle futures lost $10 this past week and U.S. cash feeder prices were also down US$4-$6 compared to seven days earlier. Ideas are that […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market absorbs double-edged sword
Feed weekly outlook: Weather buoys grain prices
MarketsFarm –– A dry spring on the Prairies, coupled with intensely wet weather south of the border, has frustrated producers and supported higher feed grain prices. Barley prices have rallied “quite strongly” due to dry weather observed across most of the Prairies, combined with tight supplies from previous years, said Nelson Neumann of Agfinity in […] Read more
Klassen: Rising feed grains weigh on feeder market
Compared to the previous week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 lower over the past week. In some cases, calves were down $4 to as much as $6. Rising feed grain costs weighed on the overall feeder complex. Feed barley in southern Alberta traded in the range of $265-$275 per tonne delivered, […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Feed grain prices flagging
MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices have softened across the Prairies, as seeding is well under and many producers have the coverage they need until new crops begin to come off the field in August. Markets are fundamentally bearish right now, as farmers with enough coverage can wait until prices get even lower when new crop […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: A tale of two Prairie grain markets
MarketsFarm — Tight old-crop supplies may be keeping nearby barley bids underpinned on the Prairies — but expectations for increased acres in 2019 mean new-crop bids are at a considerable discount. “It’s a tale of two markets right now,” said Glen Loyns, general manager of JGL Commodities at Moose Jaw, pointing to the large spread […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market remains volatile
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 on either side of unchanged. Many auction barns were closed last week and the ones holding sales had smaller numbers. Quality packages of yearlings were on the higher end of the range while smaller groups of fleshier replacements were discounted. Alberta feedlots were focusing […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley acreage buoyed despite current prices
MarketsFarm — International demand for Canadian feed barley has been strong thanks to a 2018 growing season drought in Australia that limited exportable supplies. China purchased nearly 950,000 tonnes of Canadian barley in the first seven months of the 2018-19 year, significantly above the five-year average. However, feed markets in general are quite sluggish ahead […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Benchmark report out for fababeans, feed peas
MarketsFarm — Alberta Pulse Growers on Monday released Feed Benchmark Bi-Weekly Reports, providing “a consistent and unbiased estimate of the feeding value of low-tannin fababeans and feed peas” in central Alberta, central Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Comparing fababean and feed pea prices to other feed grains, the report stated, “Grains are softening further on the […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids soften as attention turns to new crop
MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids in the key cattle feeding area of southern Alberta are coming under some pressure, as attention begins to turn to the new crop. “Demand is dropping off here a little bit,” said Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. Feedlots have extended coverage through the spring and into the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market incorporates risk premium following U.S. floods
Compared to the previous week, western Canadian feeder cattle sold steady to $4 higher the week ending March 23. Favourable spring weather enhanced demand for yearlings from major finishing operations; Lethbridge-area markets were notably $3-$5 higher as feedlots focused on local cattle. While feeding margins remain in negative territory, strength in the deferred live cattle […] Read more