Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively stable over the past week while prices in the major feeding regions were $2 to $5 higher. Alberta fed cattle prices were $2 higher, trading in the range of $170 to $172, which bolstered buying enthusiasm in the heavier weight categories. Feedlot operators in the Lethbridge area were […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market garners support
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets remain sluggish
Compared to last week, Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $5 lower across the Prairies while lighter-weight categories suffered a week-over-week decline of $4 to $6. Feedlots were a bit more aggressive on yearlings as quality backgrounded cattle are starting to dwindle at this time of year. A larger group of larger-frame lower-flesh Simmental […] Read more
Few Canadian feeder cattle going south
The good news is that more slaughter cattle are being processed in the U.S.
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $168 to $170 in late March as the beef complex moves through a period of seasonal strong demand. While the market has strengthened considerably since the lows of $155 earlier in winter, feedlot margins remain in negative territory. Break-even pen closeouts are closer to $195 […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot operators throw in towel on feeder market
Weaker wholesale beef values, along with softer fed cattle prices, set a negative tone for the feeder cattle market this past week. Western Canadian feeder markets were trading $4-$8 below week-ago levels, with calves trading as much as $10 lower in some cases. Producers can become nauseous watching these live cattle futures, but this is […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle trade lower
The “one-week wonder” from seven to 10 days ago appears to have evaporated; a softer sentiment blanketed Western Canada this week, with feeder markets dropping $4 to $6 on average. A significant slide in live cattle futures, along with softer cash prices, caused feedlots to move into a risk-averse mentality. Heavier replacements took the brunt […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle mixed across the Prairies
Market sentiment can be extremely variable and this week, we saw a large divergence in the price structure across the Prairies. Alberta feeder cattle prices were generally $3 to $6 higher and in some cases as much as $10 above week-ago levels. Buying interest appeared to fade moving east, with Manitoba markets dropping $4-$8 from […] Read more
Klassen: Supply is up, will demand follow?
Market Update: The economy needs to improve before consumers will buy more beef
All factors considered, Canadian cattle producers need to be cautious because the market is contending with a year-over-year increase in supplies and softer demand for 2016. The U.S. experienced historically low beef production in 2015 but it appears with the expansion of the cattle herd, beef supplies will sharply increase from now through 2017. This […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market adjusting to various factors
Western Canadian feeder markets experienced a mixed volatile tone over the past week. Replacement cattle over 800 lbs. were $3 lower to $8 higher on average, while lighter weight categories traded $10 lower to $10 higher in comparison to week-ago levels. Larger volumes of backgrounded yearling cattle are coming on the market at this time […] Read more
Klassen: COOL may have been ahead of its time
It probably created some economic losses, but more labelling is where food is heading
Producers have been asking and I believe it is worth making a few comments about the outlook for markets and domestic prices at auctions and packing plants now that country-of-origin labelling (COOL) is no longer a requirement in the U.S. COOL was done away with in late December 2015 after the U.S. Congress attached a […] Read more
Klassen: Uncertain beef demand weighs on feeder market
The prolonged period of negative feeding margins continues to set a tone in the feeder market. Alberta packers were buying limited numbers of fed cattle this past week with dressed sales in the range of $280 to $283, down nearly $10-$14 from two weeks ago. This appears to have spilled over into the feeder market, […] Read more
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