Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to $1 higher over the holiday week while U.S. values were steady to $3 higher. Volumes were rather light and many sales barns were closed. Canadian feeder cattle exports have dropped under 2,000 head per week, with little buying interest surfacing for the few feeders coming available. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle feel vulnerable
Klassen: Feeder cattle market turns quiet
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $1 to $3 higher this past week for calves weighing less than 700 pounds. Prices were slightly softer for heavier feeders in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while regular demand in Alberta kept prices firm. Available feeder cattle numbers are dwindling and this upcoming week will be very slow, with […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices bounce
Feeder cattle prices are $2 to $4 higher for the second week in a row. Prices have bounced off the recent lows as the available supplies begin to decline. Auction markets are experiencing the seasonal slowdown while buyers are contending with excessive rain. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot conditions remain poor, with cattle up their bellies […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle percolate higher
Cash feeder prices in Western Canada were $1 to $3 higher last week. Demand was steady for 6- to 7-weight cattle but buying interest picked up for feeders in the 8-weight and heavier category. Export movement has slowed with weekly numbers under 5,000 head per week; however, U.S. order buyers were showing interest for the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder prices marginally recover
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to $2 higher last week; U.S. prices were $1 to $3 higher on average. Despite the U.S. Memorial Day holiday, the market was fairly solid as U.S. fed cattle sold for $1 to $2 higher. Gains in the slaughter market were transferred immediately into the feeder complex […] Read more
EU Instability Affects NA Markets
European economic instability appears to be shaking North American equity and energy markets. Economic gains made since last October have stalled for the time being and it looks like consumer confidence could erode into the summer the months. Consumer expenditures are the largest factor influencing beef demand and cattle merchants remember how consumption patterns can […] Read more
Klassen: Swampy feedlot conditions limit feeder demand
Feeder cattle prices were $2 to $5 lower last week as excessive rains plagued most of Western Canada. Feedlots are contending with horrible pen conditions along with major inefficiencies in weight gains as cattle are up to their waists in manure. Lower prices did little to spur on buying enthusiasm as potential for higher death […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market breaks long-term upward trend
Feeder cattle prices came under pressure this past week on fears that the European debt crisis will slow the economic recovery in North America. Markets don’t like uncertainty and we have seen how fast consumer spending can contract, influencing overall beef consumption. Equity markets have lost over 10 per cent of their value since the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle trend remains intact
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $1 higher last week while U.S. prices were $1 to $3 higher. The weaker Canadian dollar enhanced demand from south of the border and domestic buying interest also resurfaced. Buyers searching for grass cattle were out in full force, competing with aggressive feedlot interests. CanFax reported April […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle comfortable near historical highs
Feeder cattle in Western Canada held value last week despite the Canadian dollar dipping to 12-week lows. Demand for grass cattle has subsided as many farmers are preparing to start seeding. Secondly, there is a fair amount of uncertainty in the world and feedlot operators chose to sit on their hands last week. The media […] Read more