Improving feedlot margins contributed to the stronger feeder market. Alberta packers were buying finished cattle on a dressed basis at $500/cwt delivered which was fresh record high. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $300/cwt. Feedlot breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $260-$270/cwt. Feedlots are anxious to reload and larger groups of quality packages are limited at this time of year.
Chicago cattle futures were mixed on the eve of the Memorial Day weekend as this month's cattle on feed report showed a decline in inventory. Hogs fell.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle turned higher on Thursday, as traders adjusted their positions ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend and wholesale prices continued to rise on consumer beef demand, market analysts said.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle firmed on Wednesday as wholesale prices continued to rise and consumer demand for beef has stayed strong amid the U.S. grilling season, market analysts said.
For the week ending May 16, Western Canadian feeder markets were steady to $6 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. Heifers were relatively unchanged but steers were notably stronger, especially on replacements over 800 pounds.
Glacier FarmMedia | MarketsFarm – Cattle contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange made small gains on Friday, providing little relief at the end of a tough week. The August live cattle contract gained US$0.900 per hundredweight to close at US$206.750. Meanwhile, August feeder cattle saw an increase of US$1.775/cwt. to end the day at US$297.600. […] Read more
Cattle futures tumbled farther off the contract highs hit earlier in the week on Thursday. Profit taking, as well as comments from Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King that cattle herds were “very close” to a rebuild at a conference on Wednesday, caused August live cattle futures to fall and that pressure continued on Thursday. The […] Read more