For the week ending January 25, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $$3-$6/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Higher quality genetics and lower flesh replacements were slightly firmer; however, feedlot operators incorporated the appropriate discounts on fleshier types and lower efficiency, smaller frame animals.
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder market holds value on Ontario demand
Klassen: Increased feeder cattle selling caps upside momentum
There was a surge in farmer selling across Western Canada last week. Sales volumes were larger than normal at many auction barns. The fear that President Trump would implement a tariff on feeder cattle ignited fears that that market would drop sharply.
U.S. grains: Soy, corn futures retreat on profit-taking
U.S. soybean futures fell about two per cent on Thursday as forecasts for much-needed rains in dry areas of Argentina's crop belt and expectations of a massive Brazilian soy harvest sparked a round of profit-taking, analysts said.
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures boosted by strong beef prices
Live and feeder cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were stronger Wednesday, as rising beef prices underpinned the markets.
U.S. grains: Corn firm on Argentina weather worries, soybeans retreat
Benchmark U.S. corn futures rose on Wednesday, hovering near one-year highs as traders continued to adjust to a tighter supply outlook projected last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and fretted about Argentine crop weather, analysts said.
Klassen: Demand surges for beef, live cattle and feeder cattle
For the week ending January 11, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were up $15-$20/cwt compared to the week ending December 21, 2024. In eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, quality packages of steers 800 pounds and over traded $20/cwt to $25/cwt higher compared to three weeks earlier.
CBOT weekly: Chicago soybeans/corn looking for direction
South American weather forecasts, positioning ahead of the Jan. 10 United States Department of Agriculture supply/demand report and uncertainty over trade policies under the incoming Trump administration were all influencing the Chicago grain and oilseed markets during the first days of 2025.
Klassen: Stronger fed market to pull up feeder complex
The Alberta fed cattle market was quoted on a live basis in the range of range of $262-$265/cwt fob feedlot last week. Fed cattle forward contracts for March and April delivery (Alberta) were quoted from $270 to $272/cwt. Compared to last week of November 2024, fed prices are up $20/cwt on average.
Klassen: Feeder market has many factors to digest in 2025
For the week ending December 28, there were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada; however, that didn’t stop cattle producers from emailing or calling me over the holidays inquiring about market direction. I thought it would be an opportune time to discuss a couple factors that will influence the market direction over the next couple of months.
Klassen: Feeder market finishes 2024 on strong tone
For the week ending December 21, Western Canadian backgrounded cattle and heavier calves were unchanged to $5 lower on average. Calves in the 600-800 pound range were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 pounds were steady to $10 higher.
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