MarketsFarm — The adverse 2019 harvest across Western Canada may have left more grain grading as feed than normal, but issues in getting that barley and wheat to livestock continue to prop up prices for the time being. “We’ve seen a rally in the feed barley market the last four weeks,” said Brandon Motz, of […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Tight logistics underpin barley in Feedlot Alley
Klassen: Yearling prices remain firm
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were relatively unchanged with the exception of southern Alberta where 800-plus-lb. feeders traded $5 to as much as $8 higher. Strength in deferred live cattle futures and weakness in barley prices were the main factors driving demand in the Lethbridge area. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s bullish […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle demand softens
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 lower on average while calves were down $3-$5 depending on the region. Weakness in the fed cattle market continues to spill over into the feeder complex, as margins drift further into red ink. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $245-$246 delivered […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hogs slip on weaker cash
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures closed lower on Friday, following softening cash hog prices, traders said. CME February hog futures settled down 1.425 cents at 62.65 cents/lb., halting a three-session advance (all figures US$). Traders noted that hogs in the top cash market of Iowa and southern Minnesota traded […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market ends year on firm tone
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets traded $3-$5 higher. Auction barns in the major feeding regions of Alberta had limited numbers on offer last week; therefore, major operations were sourcing feeders from farther distances. While most feedlots are carrying sufficient numbers, year-end buying was able set the market on a firm tone. April […] Read more
Klassen: Fed cattle market leads yearlings higher
Compared to last week, yearlings traded $3 to as much as $6 higher. While many auction barns were on holidays, buyers had a full deck of orders for the limited supplies on hand. Many buyers and few sellers characterized the market environment. The quality of cattle is quite variable at this time of year but […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker barley prices enhance yearling prices
Compared to last week, yearlings traded $3 to as much as $8 higher, with strong buying interest noted from Lethbridge-area feedlots. Supplies of quality feeders are rather snug at this time of year and buyers were extremely aggressive on local packages. Prices in the non-major feeding areas appeared to lag southern Alberta markets but orders […] Read more
Klassen: Export, feedlot demand drives feeders higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices traded $2-$4 higher while calves and lighter-weight feeders were relatively unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis from $270 to $272, up $5-$7 from week-ago levels. This firmer tone in the fed market quickly spilled over into prices for shorter-term replacements. There is […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie wheat stored as southern Plains dry out
CNS Canada — A rise in U.S. corn prices has helped lift the entire feed market in southern Alberta, though one industry expert says it isn’t the only factor strengthening the market. “Barley is getting increasingly difficult to buy as we clean up old-crop supplies,” said Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities at Lethbridge. Cattle […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Canada importing more U.S. DDGS
CNS Canada — A better-quality Canadian grain crop in 2017 has opened the door to increased imports of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from the U.S., as Canadian livestock feeders look for other options. Canada imported about 700,000 tonnes of the ethanol byproduct from the U.S. in 2017, the largest imports since 2011 and […] Read more
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