Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell sharply for a second straight session on Tuesday, pressured by technical selling and weakening cash cattle prices, traders said. Large numbers of slaughter-ready cattle are expected to continue flooding the market over near term and futures prices have slumped in anticipation of a cash […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle slump again on falling cash prices
Klassen: Feeder market faces many headwinds
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Feedlot operators and order buyers were contending with a number of variables which resulted in a defensive tone. First, the Canadian dollar rallied late in the week, derailing any buying interest from south of the border. U.S. feeder cattle markets were also trading […] Read more
Klassen: Seasonable temperatures enhance feeder market
Western Canadian yearling markets were actively trading $2-$5 above week-ago levels while prices in the Lethbridge area were up a solid $5 to as much as $10 in some cases. Improving pen conditions, along with a stronger fed cattle market, resulted in a surge of buying interest from southern Alberta operations. Orders from Feedlot Alley […] 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
U.S. livestock: Live cattle rally on Plains cash prices
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rallied on Friday as cash cattle at U.S. Plains feedlot markets traded at higher prices amid rising beef values and robust packer margins, traders said. Milder temperatures around much of the country following an unusually chilly stretch of early spring weather is lifting demand for […] Read more
Klassen: Spring weather revitalizes feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4-$6 higher. Yearlings led the charge higher with quality packages selling $5 to as much as $8 above week-ago levels. The return of seasonal temperatures provided a shot of adrenaline for the feeder market. There are quite a few operations carrying minimal numbers because of […] Read more
Klassen: Rising feed grain prices weigh on feeder market
Western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels; however, feeder cattle fit for grass and calves dropped $4 to as much as $10 from seven days earlier. Rising feed grain costs appear to be affecting lighter weight categories more than the yearling market. Feedlots will be struggling with negative margins through the summer […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Shipping to feedlots becomes problem
CNS Canada –– Spring has sprung on the Prairies, meaning road bans are starting, leading to problems shipping feed grains to feedlots in Alberta. “The supply is actually there at the farm gate but getting the supply from the farm gate to the end-user means more truck logistics and higher freight rates typically,” said Jim […] Read more
Fully automated feeding — the rise of the machines
Technology that handles everything from feed formulation to delivering it to cattle is becoming ubiquitous
Reading Time: 3 minutes Ken Van Raay remembers how things used to be at his 30,000-head feedlot. It required a lot more co-ordination, that’s for sure. In his previous system, Van Raay dealt with his local feed mill on the phone; spent more time on the road; managed pelleting, storage, blending and monitoring micro-ingredient levels in bins; and generally […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlots struggle through adverse weather
Western Canadian yearling prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $5-$8 with some pockets deteriorating $10 to as much as $12. Adverse weather in southern Alberta has resulted in limited buying interest from main feedlot operators. Feedlot Alley has received 150-200 per cent of normal precipitation over the past 60 days. Snow and rain, along with […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
