Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower; calves weighing 500 to 650 lbs. traded $2-$4 lower while lighter weights under 500 lbs. were steady to $5 higher. There is a distinct price structure for each weight category, depending on the time frame for the finished animal. The overall feeder […] Read more

Klassen: Stronger barley prices weigh on feeder market

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grain prices on rise despite harvest
MarketsFarm — Feed barley and wheat prices in Western Canada have been showing some unusual strength in late September, with prices rising despite seasonal harvest pressure. “Right now we’ve been seeing a lot of talk about exports and the need for feed at feedlots,” said Erin Harakal, senior trader at Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. […] Read more

Klassen: Yearling market holding value
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded $3 higher to $3 lower on average. The yearling run is well underway and there was no shortage of buying interest. Finishing feedlots were very aggressive on quality packages coming fresh off grass. Once again, buyers focused on local cattle, causing […] Read more

Klassen: Yearling markets mixed
Compared to last week, yearling prices for western Canadian were down $2-$5 on average with the exception of southern Alberta where prices were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots in the Lethbridge area focused on local cattle which contributed to the firmer tone. Outside of Feedlot Alley, weakness in the deferred live cattle futures had buyers on […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Clearer picture of coming crop means lower prices
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat have been trending lower recently, according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. While there has been some harvest pressure, Motz said “it’s more of an equalization of the crops. “We got through the crunch of July not knowing exactly where things were at. As […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids drop ahead of harvest
MarketsFarm — Seasonal harvest pressure is already weighing on the Canadian feed barley market, with most end users covered for the time being and waiting for the new crop. “We’re seeing buyers fill up” on barley, said Susanne Leclerc of Market Master in Edmonton. Bids were dropping on a daily basis from those still in […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market in summer mode
Set-aside program not having much effect yet on prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Volumes are quite thin at this time of year, which makes the market hard to define. Steady demand surfaced on quality groups of yearlings and calves, while late stragglers and heavier-flesh feeders were severely discounted. Pasture conditions are favourable across the Prairies and […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures weaken, cattle futures advance
Cattle values rise as corn values drop
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures on Friday pulled back from a rally the previous session as large supplies and doubts about Chinese imports weighed on the market, analysts said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) August lean hog futures settled down 0.35 cent at 49.875 cents/lb. (all figures US$). The contract has rebounded slightly since […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Prices to soften as new crop year nears
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat will decline as the new crop year gets closer, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader with Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. Harakal said the new crop should start coming off of the fields around the end of August and the beginning of September. “Usually at this time […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids soften as sector stabilizes
MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids in Western Canada have softened over the past two weeks, as some normalcy returns to the feeding sector. Feed barley bids delivered into the key Lethbridge feeding area have come down by $6-$8 per tonne over the past two weeks, with current prices around $240 per tonne, said Brandon Motz […] Read more