Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearlings traded $8 to as much as $12 higher; mid-weight feeders in the range of 700-800 pounds were also $8-10 higher. Calves under 700 pounds were unchanged to $6 higher. The feeder market took a fortuitous bounce last week. Major feedlots were extremely aggressive on yearlings while supplies were […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle trend higher, favourable beef outlook
Klassen: Barley price forecasts enhance feeder cattle demand
Recent rains nearly guarantee at least average yields
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged. Heifer and steer calves were quoted steady to $3 lower on average but the market was harder to define due to limited numbers. Small packages of calves of various quality resulted in the wide-ranging price structure. Buying interest for grassers appears to have subsided. […] Read more
Klassen: Negative feeding margins temper strength in feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings weighing over 800 lbs. traded steady to $2 lower on average. Feeder cattle under 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $288 delivered, down from the range of $288-$290 seven days earlier. Using a 60 […] Read more
Klassen: Steady demand supports feeder cattle prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures and uncertainty in the feed grain market tempered the upside for all weight categories of replacement cattle. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $288-$290 delivered, steady to $2 lower […] Read more
Klassen: Canadian feeder market divorces from feeder cattle futures
Timing of new-crop feed grains leads to shift
Compared to last week western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. The quality was quite variable resulting in the wide price structure; however, decent genetic and lower flesh packages were red hot. Feedlot operators were extremely aggressive on 700- to 800-lb. steers although higher weight categories were also well bid. Auction […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market starts seasonal rally
Ontario demand leads charge higher in Manitoba
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 to as much as $6 higher on average. Calf markets were sharply higher. Auction barns in Manitoba reported calf prices up $8-$10 on average with certain pockets up as much $15. Calf markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan were up a solid $5-$8 from week-ago levels. […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot demand up prior to seasonal rally
Market for calves 'boiling hot' in Manitoba
For the week ending April 30, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Yearlings traded $8 lower as much as $5 higher. Severe discounts were noted on fleshier cattle; some auction barns reported the bulk of cattle over 800 pounds were medium to heavier flesh. Deferred live cattle futures were under pressure but the […] Read more
Klassen: Adverse weather tempers feeder cattle market
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. Southern Alberta experienced severe wind and dust storms last week which softened buying interest from a large portion of feedlot operators. At the same time, grass conditions are quite variable across the Prairies despite the recent precipitation. Cooler temperatures […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices soften but calves drop sharply
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices unchanged to $4 lower on average while calves were down $4 to as much as $8 in some cases. The steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$3 for yearlings and $3-$6 for calves. Adverse weather set a negative tone and the market appeared to incorporate a risk […] Read more
Klassen: Steady fed cattle market supports feeder complex
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average while calves were steady to as much as $5 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $273-$275 delivered; live prices were quoted at $161 f.o.b. the feedlot. There is a severe backlog of market-ready […] Read more
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