“Alberta Steers were trading in the range of $84 to $85 while heifers were in the range of $85 to $87. The cash market appears to be holding value but it is difficult to build a case for higher prices given the current economic situation.” U. S. cattle inventory numbers are at their lowest levels […] Read more
The lowest price at the retail meat counter is what matters to consumers
Soft Demand Weighs On Hogs
The hog market has a tendency to move from historical highs to historical lows and this is a very good opportunity to lock in some decent margins. Cash hog values remain under pressure as demand continues to wane. Offshore movement has slowed and the domestic market is struggling to absorb larger supplies of all meats. […] Read more
Cash hog values remain firm
Cash hog values in Manitoba were trading in the range of $1.30/kg to $1.40/kg area in late January. The Peoria market was hovering at $36/cwt. Prices have been edging higher over the past couple weeks. Demand appears to be stabilizing and supplies of market ready hogs are somewhat tighter than earlier anticipated. I’m still looking […] Read more
Cattle supplies are tightening, but consumer demand for beef is still down
“the weakness in the live cattle prices from April through June will keep feeder cattle prices under pressure during this time” Available supplies of market ready cattle are expected to tighten in the upcoming weeks. It appears that on-feed numbers are lower than earlier anticipated and the cash market is expected to percolate higher in […] Read more
The full implications of COOL are yet unknown
The fed cattle market in Southern Alberta was hovering in the range of $82 to $85 in early January. At the same time, market ready cattle were trading at $84 to $85 in the U. S. southern plains. The market is still struggling with the demand equation despite the potential for lower beef supplies during […] Read more
With improve prices forecast by June, the thinking is the worst may be over
Hog values in Canada have been trading in a narrow range but we may see prices percolate higher into early summer. Supplies of market hogs will be down from earlier expectations as per the recent USDA hog and pig report. Low returns in the hog industry have caused the breeding herd to contract and this […] Read more
Cattle outlook for 2009
I’ve received a number of inquiries as to the cattle outlook for 2009. While it is difficult to actually project the current price structure for 2009, producers can have a knowledgeable idea of the factors driving the market throughout the year. This starts with a healthy understanding of fundamental structure and then monitoring data and […] Read more
Beef caught in market fall
U. S. Cattle on feed numbers have been coming in under year ago levels, but the tighter supply situation has done little to support the cattle market. Instead, the main driver has been the overall economic crisis causing a major shift in the demand equation. The problems have spread to other major beef markets such […] Read more
Financial crisis pressures cattle market
The fed cattle market in the US has come under pressure largely due to the economic recession. For example, the operator of Ponderosa and Bonanza steak-house chains filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in late October. This news follows a similar announcement by S&A Restaurant Corp, the operator Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale chains. Consumer traffic […] Read more
As the falling price of oil and other commodities drags down the Canadian dollar, Canadian hog and pork exporters gain an advantage
It is important to note that the Asian market is suffering worse than in the currency crisis of 1997. This may take a larger toll on the export program in upcoming months. Weakness in the Canadian dollar versus the U. S. greenback has been a main factor supporting cash hog prices in Canada. In late […] Read more
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