Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$7 lower on average, with shorter-keep replacements over 850 lbs. as much as $10 lower in some cases. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $159-$161, down nearly $12 from week-ago levels. Most auction markets had limited numbers on offer, with many sales barns in summer […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed cattle prices pressure feeder market
Klassen: Feeder cattle market looks for direction
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were once again unchanged from week-ago levels. After the major rally in late April and May, the market has basically traded in a sideways range and is looking for direction. Feedlot operators have experienced healthy margins during the first half of 2017 and this will likely continue until September. They […] Read more
Talk about a yo-yo: Cattle prices jump to near-record highs
The glory days of 2015 were a distant memory last fall — and then all of a sudden prices shot up again
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta cattle producers are enjoying unexpectedly strong pricing this spring with both fed cattle and calf prices in Alberta rallying almost 50 per cent since last fall’s painful lows. “There’s always going to be someone who says they saw it coming. We didn’t,” said Brian Perillat, manager and senior analyst with CanFax, the Canadian Cattlemen’s […] Read more
Lethbridge County ‘head tax’ ruled legal
Feeders challenged the $3-per-head business tax on feedlots as unfair, but a judge said the municipal act allows it
Reading Time: 2 minutes Lethbridge County’s controversial ‘head tax’ will be staying put after a judge ruled the tax is legal. “We’re happy that the judge upheld the business tax,” said Lethbridge County Reeve Lorne Hickey. “He felt that under the Municipal Government Act, we were fully capable of putting that tax in place.” The $3-per-head business tax — […] Read more
Half of nitrogen from feedlots is lost to ammonia emission
Mitigating emissions from feedlots isn’t easy, but there are ‘simple’ steps to reduce nitrogen losses and save money
Reading Time: 3 minutes Feedlots have come a long way in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. But a new federal research study has found that nitrogen losses in feedlots are still significant — and can significantly affect the bottom line. “We’re losing about 50 per cent of the nitrogen to ammonia loss in a feedlot, and […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot operators aggressively bid up feeders
Western Canadian feeder cattle continued the upward trend trading $5 to $8 above week-ago levels on average with higher quality feeders as much as $12 higher. Alberta packers were buying cattle near $177 on a live basis, which is about $35 above breakeven pen closeouts. Ongoing strength in the fed cattle market set a positive […] Read more
Klassen: Renewed confidence lifts feeder cattle market
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels on average; stronger buying interest was noted on short-keep cattle with prices quoted $5 to as much as $8 higher. Feedlot operators stepped forward more aggressively with ideas that yearling supplies will dwindle over the next month. Quality cattle are starting to thin out at […] Read more
Klassen: Limited demand means mixed tone for feeders
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a mixed tone this past week. Heavier weaned calves were trading steady to as much as $4 higher compared to last week; however, shorter-term replacements were steady to $3 lower. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $170 to $172, down from week-ago levels of $177. […] Read more
New beef research fact sheets available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Fact sheets on two research projects funded by Alberta Beef Producers are now available at www.albertabeef.org. Impact of Trace Minerals and Infectious Disease on Reproductive Performance examines the effect of trace mineral deficiencies (which reduce growth, milk production, and reproductive rate, and also cause a variety of metabolic diseases) in high-risk geographical regions. Investigating Lameness […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle continue upward trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels with lighter weight categories selling $6 to $8 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $286 to $288 on a dressed basis, up from $278 last week. This equates to $172-$174 on a live basis, a solid $35 above break-even pen […] Read more
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