Alberta fed cattle prices jumped to three-month highs, reaching $174 over the past week, setting a positive tone for feeders to start off the New Year. Retailers appear to be featuring beef at discounted prices, alleviating the bloated beef pipeline. Wholesale prices also ratcheted higher, reflecting the improving demand. While pen closeouts remain in negative […] Read more
Klassen: Fed cattle bounce stabilizes feeders
Klassen: Bounce in fed cattle supports feeders
Feeder cattle prices ended the year on a soft tone, trading steady with week-ago levels. Most auction barns were in holiday mode, resulting in minimal sales across the Prairies. Christmas couldn’t come soon enough for feedlot operators and the bounce in the live cattle futures early in the week was a refreshing gift. This past […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market grinds lower
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices ended the year on a soft tone, trading $5-$10 below week-ago levels; fleshier unweaned calves were down $10 to $15 because adverse weather plagued much of the Prairie region. Cattle buyers were busy on the phone, but receiving no orders. Feedlots appear to be content with their current inventory levels […] Read more
Cattle margins struggling amidst lower prices
Market Update with Jerry Klassen
Western Canadian fed and feeder cattle prices have experienced severe volatility over the past month and it appears that this price behaviour will continue over the winter. While the market continues to factor in growing beef supplies, retail and restaurant demand remains uncertain. Alberta packers have been buying fed cattle in the range of $170 […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market falls sharply
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $12-$15 on average, with fleshier unweaned calves trading down $20-$25. Major feedlot operators reined in buying interest across the Prairies as fed cattle and wholesale beef prices remain under pressure. Feeding margins continue to deteriorate beyond pain thresholds and the backlog of market-ready feedlot supplies […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle remain vulnerable
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were once again quite volatile this past week as market continues to digest overwhelming fed cattle supplies and lacklustre beef demand. In Alberta, calves under 700 lbs. were steady to $5 lower on average while heavier calves and yearlings were $3 to as much as $10 lower. In the eastern […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle stabilize near annual lows
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $5 lower to $5 higher relative to week-ago levels. The market was quite variable across the Prairies, with eastern markets coming under more pressure comparable to southern Alberta. Feedlot operators and backgrounding farmers that were holding back on purchases earlier in the fall were stepping forward more aggressively this […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed cattle pressure feeder market
Alan Paton stated when men are ruled by fear, they strive to prevent the very changes that will abate it. The feeder cattle market is contending with a negative round of feeding margins over the next few months, which continues to result in weaker values. Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally $3 to $8 […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlots curb buying interest
Despair is the price one pays for setting an impossible aim. Given the phone calls over the past week, producers have been expecting something the market cannot offer. Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were under severe pressure, with 700-plus-pound cattle down $8-$12 from seven days earlier; calves under 700 lbs. traded $4-$8 below week-ago levels. […] Read more
No bright lights ahead in beef market
Market Update with Jerry Klassen
The fed and feeder cattle market have many fundamental factors to digest over the next few months. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle near $169 in late October, which is down from the late spring highs of $204. Breakeven values on pen closeouts are in the range of $195 to $198 so in the best-case […] Read more
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