Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded steady to as much as $10 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on calves. Weakness in the feed grain complex offset softer fed cattle prices, which caused the stronger price structure. Alberta packers were buying cattle at $164/cwt, down $2/cwt from seven days earlier while the bulk of trade occurred at […] Read more
Klassen: Softer barley prices support feeder market
Klassen: Feeder cattle reaching lofty levels
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively undefined last due to lower volumes; however, U.S. feeder cattle were $3-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) higher, setting the positive tone. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle steady to slightly higher at $158/cwt and fed contracts for the fall an winter period continue to climb. The beef market appears […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market firm but undefined during adverse rains
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were undefined this past week due to the holiday schedule and an extremely light run at major auction markets. However, the market appears to be well supported in the wake of stronger fed cattle prices, which reached fresh record highs in Canada and the U.S. Alberta packers were buying fed […] Read more
Consumers balk at higher beef prices
Retail beef prices have surged higher since January, resulting in softer beef consumption. Average American at-home and away-from-home food expenditures were running four and three per cent, respectively, above year-ago levels earlier in 2014. But since March, at-home food spending is now below year-ago levels by two per cent while away-from-home food spending is down 8.4 […] Read more
Klassen: Strength in fed cattle leads feeder market higher
Fed cattle values jumped in Canada and the U.S. this past week, which led the feeder market higher on both sides of the border. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $153.50 per hundredweight (cwt), up from $150/cwt earlier in June. Cattle trade in the U.S. Southern Plains occurred in the range of $154-$155/cwt, up […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle firm despite snug feeding margins
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $3-$6 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week as buyers continue to scramble for limited supplies. Recent rains have enhanced pasture conditions across the Prairies and there will be little incentive to market cattle over the next month. Many cattle buyers are taking a couple of weeks’ holiday after an […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market sustains upward momentum
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices jumped $5-$7 per hundredweight (cwt) last week. Recent rains caused adverse pen conditions in southern Alberta, but this did little to stem buying enthusiasm. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $150/cwt as tighter beef supplies continue to cause counter-seasonal market behaviour in the beef complex. In addition to firm […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle outlook remains positive
Weaker feed grain values, along with stronger fed cattle prices, caused Western Canadian feeder cattle prices to trade steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher. The market was relatively undefined given the lack of volume. Some producers were holding back smaller groups or “underdeveloped stragglers” as gambling stocks, but these supplies have also moved through […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker barley prices support feeder market
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continue to percolate higher in the 750-pound-plus categories while lighter weight classes were steady with week-ago levels. Feedlot buying interest appeared to be more aggressive due to softer barley prices in southern Alberta. Earlier in May, barley traded up to $220 per tonne delivered Lethbridge but active trade materialized at […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market remains hot
Feedlot buying interest remained firm last week as feeder cattle supplies dwindle in line with the seasonal tendency. Small strings of feeders with mixed characteristics were well bid at the higher levels with no signal that this overall trend has come to an end. Once again, larger-frame Simmental-based feeders weighing just under 800 pounds were […] Read more
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