During the first week of June, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis at $261 per hundredweight, f.o.b, feedlot in southern Alberta, up $4/cwt from a month earlier. Market-ready supplies of fed cattle were sharply above year-ago levels earlier in winter, but the backlog has slowly been alleviated through the spring period. […] Read more
Tighter fed cattle supplies support feeder market
U.S. beef producers are not yet holding back enough heifers for expansion
Klassen: Buyers tasting feeder cattle prices for fall run
For the week ending July 2, Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier for larger packages. Small groups of 800-pound-plus cattle were $10 to $15 discounted to pen-sized lots. Calf markets were relatively unchanged from the prior week, although volume was limited. There is significant open demand for yearlings and finishing feedlot operators are watching how prices develop.
Klassen: Light volumes characterize feeder market
For the week ending June 29, Western Canadian yearling and calf markets were unchanged from seven days earlier. Many auction barns are in holiday mode and volumes were light, making the market hard to define. Late blooming stragglers and off grade calves were common.
Klassen: Canadian heifer retention tightening feeder supply
Alberta and Saskatchewan heifer placements in the lighter weight categories are down from year-ago levels. Comments from ranchers and order buyers suggest that Western Canadian ranchers are holding back on heifers to expand the herd. This usually results in a narrowing of the steer/heifer spread.
Klassen: Quality yearlings lead feeder complex higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quoted $5 lower to $5 higher on average in the week ending June 15. However, quality packages of yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels
Klassen: Feeder cattle market ratchets higher on stronger fed market
For the week ending June 8, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to $6 above week-ago levels. In certain locations, quality packages of 600 pound plus steers were $8 to $10 higher compared to seven days earlier. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $440/cwt, up $2/cwt from the previous […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market hard to define on smaller volumes
For the week ending June 1, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to the previous week. It’s that time of year when volumes are limited and the market can be quite variable from region to region.
Lower feedlot placements support cattle market
Cow-calf producers should think about selling calves in late summer versus fall
During the last week of April, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $256-$258 per hundredweight delivered, up $18/cwt from three weeks earlier. Alberta fed cattle basis levels have strengthened as market-ready supplies tighten. In Kansas and Texas, live sales, f.o.b. feedlot, were reported at US$182/cwt, down US$3/cwt […] Read more
Klassen: Demand for grass cattle pushes feeder market higher
In the week ending May 25, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were trading $4 to $8 higher compared to seven days earlier. Some higher quality genetic packages of 700-pound plus cattle were up as much as $10 from week-ago levels.
Klassen: Demand for grass cattle pushes feeder market higher
For the week ending May 18, Western Canadian yearling markets were trading $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were relatively unchanged compared to the prior week. The feeder market appears to be consolidating near historical highs.
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