Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were stronger on Tuesday, with cold temperatures hitting the northern U.S. Plains and Corn Belt lending some support to the futures. The February live cattle contract gained 4.875 cents per pound at 220.005 cents. Feeder cattle were up 8.800 cents in the January contract at 329.875 cents per […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle strengthen Tuesday
Klassen: Feeder market has volatile week
For the week ending November 29, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt higher to 10/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. Markets were hard to define given the volatility and emotional behavior. Certain larger operations were extremely aggressive securing ownership across Western Canada while Ontario demand was more prevalent late in the week. Alberta […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlots scale down cattle purchases
For the week ending November 22, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $10/cwt lower on average. Earlier in the week, the heavier weight categories came under pressure while cattle under 700 pounds held value. However, by Friday, all weight ranges exhibited a softer tone. Feedlots are coming to the realization that the fed […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures dip as Brazilian beef tariffs lifted
Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were weaker on Friday, pressured by the removal of United States tariffs on Brazilian beef announced Thursday. The 40-per cent tariffs were removed by the White House to bring down beef prices and should result in Brazilian beef moving into the U.S. once again. Talk that the U.S. […] Read more
Klassen: Beef demand uncertainty weighs on feeder market
For the week ending November 15, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $8-$10/cwt below values from seven days earlier. The cash market held value early in the week as the feeder cattle futures experienced a fortuitous bounce. However, weaker feedlot margins and longer term uncertainty regarding beef demand resulted in a softer tone in the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures end lower
Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were weaker on Wednesday, as a lack of fresh news had some participants moving to the sidelines. The December live cattle contract lost 1.925 cents per pound at 225.275 cents. Feeder cattle were down 1.675 cents in the January contract at 327.475 cents per pound. The U.S. Department […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed market weighs on feeder cattle prices
For the week ending November 8, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10-$20/cwt below values from seven days earlier. Some packages weighing from 600 to 850 pounds were down as much as $30 from week-ago levels. The April live cattle futures fell $10/cwt over the course of the week while Alberta barley prices gained $5-$8/cwt. […] Read more
Hail research hopes to benefit potato growers
A risk-assessment tool could help producers determine the impact to their bottom line from hail and heat damage
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta research scientist measures hail storm and heat dome affects on potato crops
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures post limit-down losses
Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were down by their daily limits on Wednesday, with speculative long liquidation a feature. The December live cattle contract lost 7.250 cents per pound at 220.525 cents. Feeder cattle were down 9.250 cents in the January contract at 319.975 cents per pound. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins met […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market drops sharply
For the week ending November 1, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $15-$30/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. Cash feeder markets were off by $30-$40/cwt early in the week but then marginally recovered on Wednesday as the feeder cattle futures market stabilized. There were a few exceptions. Higher quality yearlings over 800 pounds coming […] Read more