I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding the barley outlook for the summer and fall. The cost-per-pound of gain is an important factor determining feeder cattle prices and there is generally an inverse relationship between feed grain prices and feeder cattle values. When feed grain prices increase, (as experienced during the U.S. Midwest drought […] Read more
Higher feed costs to push calves down
Klassen: Record fed prices lead feeder market higher
Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices traded $3 to $5 higher over the past week, with lighter weight categories under 700 pounds jumping $8 to $10 in some cases. Renewed buying interest surfaced based on strength in Alberta fed cattle prices, which traded as high as $198. Improving feedlot margins in the nearby and deferred positions […] Read more
Consumer demand for beef will rebound
Cattle prices still holding as industry moves into expansion phase
Fed cattle prices in Alberta continue to trade between $183 to $185 as the Canadian dollar remains near six-year lows. U.S. beef production appears to be exceeding earlier projections; however, retail and restaurant demand have not slowed as much as expected during the first two months of 2015 and wholesale beef prices are holding value. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump $4 to $6 in West
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices jumped $4-$6 over the past week as strengthening feeding margins enhanced buying interest for replacement cattle. Noticeable gains were noted in eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba early in the week and Alberta markets followed the charge higher. Cattle buyers in southwestern Manitoba reported mixed steers averaging 900 pounds readily trading from […] Read more
COOL may be the right direction
Labelling of origin and other functional characteristics will become more important
The confirmed new case of BSE in Alberta on Feb. 13 has caused Chian, Peru, Belarus and Taiwan to place temporary restrictions on Canadian beef. South Korea temporarily suspended imports immediately after the confirmed case while Indonesia has placed temporary restrictions on some non-edible meat products. The ability to persuade or educate the consumer is […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger demand lifts feeder cattle prices
Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices were quite volatile over the past week, experiencing various surges on firm momentum from seven days earlier. In southeastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, calves under 650 pounds were averaging $5 to $8 above week-ago levels on solid U.S. buying interest. Calves under 400 lbs. were touching the $380-$390 levels in this […] Read more
Klassen: Price environment continues to enhance feeder complex
The stars continue to align in the correct pattern for the feeder cattle market, as prices in Western Canada jumped $2 to $5 this past week with noticeable advances in the lighter-weight categories. The Canadian dollar continues to deteriorate, and there is potential for further weakness given the overall economic situation. Secondly, Alberta fed cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Higher fed cattle prices pull up feeder values
Fed cattle in Alberta were trading at $191 this past week, which set a positive tone in the feeder complex. Across the Prairies, heavier quality replacements over 700 pounds posted gains of $2 to $4 while lighter-weight cattle were $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier. Feedlot margins improved with break-even pen closeouts […] Read more
Klassen: Demand varies for feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable over the past week. Stronger demand was noted in the major feeding regions such as southern Alberta where top-quality steers weighing just over 600 pounds reached $288. Manitoba prices were also steady to $3 higher on buying interest from Eastern Canada and south of the border. However, […] Read more
Crude oil price has little impact on cattle market
A review of the numbers fails to show any correlation between the two
Over the past month, I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers in regards to the relationship between crude oil prices and the cattle market in Western Canada. Cattle prices have remained near historical highs while crude oil values have dropped by nearly 60 per cent since the summer of 2014. Often we are confident that […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
