Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to as much as $6 higher. Moderate to stronger buying interest was noted across the Prairies. Once again, feedlot operators were fairly aggressive on quality yearling packages; semi-weaned and weaned calves were a solid $3-$5 higher while unweaned lighter calves experienced minimal price appreciation. […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market ends 2017 on positive tone

Firm feed barley market capped by U.S. corn
CNS Canada — Feed barley bids in Alberta have shown some strength post-harvest and look to remain firm heading through the winter. However, the threat of U.S. corn imports will likely cap the upside. “Barley’s been on the rise here,” said Jared Seitz of Agfinity at Spruce Grove, Alta. Some U.S. corn was crossing the […] Read more

Feed barley marches ‘lockstep’ with U.S. corn
CNS Canada — Western Canada’s feed barley market continues to trade above the key $200 per tonne mark, taking strength from consistent demand and a lower-sized crop in 2017. “The market has changed (gotten stronger) from last year when high-vomitoxin wheat was trading at a discount,” said Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. […] Read more

PED’s spread alarms piglet-exporting Manitoba
Winnipeg | Reuters — The deadly pig disease PEDv (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus) is spreading faster than expected in Manitoba, Canada’s biggest piglet-producing province. The number of cases since the beginning of May, now at 10, matches the total from the past three years combined, although the outbreak is not comparable in scale to PEDv’s […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle market turning over
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were very uneven over the past week. Market reports from the major feeding regions reflected values steady to $3 higher, while other reports were steady to $5 lower. Gains were noted on cattle under 500 pounds, such as in central Alberta, where a small group of exotic and Charolais-based steers […] Read more