Fed cattle prices in Alberta continue to hover between $168 to $172 due to tighter market-ready supplies, steady consumer demand and a weaker Canadian dollar. Cattle on feed numbers continue to come in below year-ago levels in both Canada and the U.S. Cheaper feed grain prices have allowed feedlots to hold cattle and be patient […] Read more
Cattle fundamentals remain healthy
Klassen: Feeder market upward trend stalls
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were unsettled last week, trading $3 higher to $3 lower. However, feedlot operators were eyeing the U.S. market, where softer U.S. fed cattle prices caused feeder cattle prices to drop by $4 to $8. The deteriorating Canadian dollar was mildly supportive, but the uncertainty in the fed cattle set a […] Read more
Cattle market may weaken if U.S. economy plateaus
Fed cattle prices have traded in a steady range over the past month with Alberta packers buying fed cattle from $164/cwt to $166/cwt. While the cash trade has been relatively stable, the futures market has been extremely volatile due to the uncertainty in consumer spending behavior over the next four to six months. Chinese growth […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market absorbs larger supplies
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were well supported this past week, with strong buying interest from both larger feedlot operators and the “year-end buyer” custom cattle feeder. Fed cattle prices continue to trade near historical highs, causing feedlots to aggressively liquidate market-ready supplies. Empty pens can have significant opportunity cost in this environment, so there […] Read more
Klassen: Strong demand at feature calf sales
Last week saw many auction barns holding their largest volumes of the year and there was no shortage of buying interest at these feature sales. Major feedlot operators were aggressively shopping because quality and risk sentiment appear to be more favourable this time of year. Calves have withstood adverse winter conditions for a couple of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices at lofty levels
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 higher on average this past week; quality calves were as much as $5 higher in certain cases. Strength in the fed cattle market enhanced feedlot margins for nearby positions which set a positive tone. South of the border, feeder prices were $3 to $5 higher in […] Read more
Klassen: Healthy feeding margins support feeder cattle market
Western Canadian feeder cattle price volatility continues while average prices remain near historical highs. Fancier minimal-flesh quality calf prices experienced spurts of $5 to $8 above average levels as exotic steers averaging 780 pounds reached up to $246 in central Alberta. Similarly, a small group of quality 750-lb. steers touched $252 at a feature sale […] Read more
Klassen — feeder cattle market reflects mixed tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices reflected a mixed tone over the past week with values $3 to $5 higher on vaccinated preconditioned calves; unvaccinated calves just off their mothers were $3/cwt to as much as $10/cwt lower in some cases. Yearling prices were also quite variable by as much as $10/cwt despite the tightening supply […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets remain firm at feature sales
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced extreme volatility over the past week. Strong buying interest was noted on pre-conditioned calves while unweaned bawlers traded $2-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) lower. Alberta packers showed limited interest for fed cattle due to uncertainty in wholesale beef values. However, by the weekend, fed cattle in the U.S. southern Plains […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle experience volatile price action
Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices traded in an volatile fashion this past week due to uncertain economics and beef demand uncertainty. Early in the week, auction barns were reporting values steady with week-ago levels; however, buying enthusiasm started to wane by Wednesday and prices were $3-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) lower by the weekend. Feedlot operators […] Read more