The Western Canadian feeder cattle market has been trading $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower to $2/cwt higher in comparison to seven days earlier. Heavier receipts were noted at most auction barns with spring-born calves coming on the market in full swing. Once again, the market remains sensitive to quality features with pre-conditioned calves trading at […] Read more
Klassen: Larger supplies temper feeder cattle prices
Klassen: Tyson decision adds to feeder market volatility
The dynamics of the feeder market continue to change, and I feel this is better for the overall beef industry. The overall conclusion is that feedlot operators want to know more information about the feeder cattle and if the buyer cannot supply this information, discounts are noted on the purchase price because the risks are […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger fed cattle prices lift feeder market
Alberta packers bought fed cattle in the range of $120 to $121.50 per hundredweight (cwt) last week, up about $4/cwt from seven days earlier. Strength in fed cattle values, along and improvement in feeding margins, lifted the feeder market by $1-$3/cwt across Western Canada. Cash barley continues to trade at $180 per tonne delivered in […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle trade unsettled
Feedlot demand for feeder cattle in Western Canada is down sharply from last year, which has resulted in an apprehensive market for replacement cattle. Not only are there a number of small- to medium-sized feedlots which have closed operations; larger feedlots have turned typical “silage land” into canola and wheat crops and plan to feed […] Read more
Cattle outlook remains positive
Feedlot operators in southern Alberta are cautiously optimistic moving into the major fall sales run of yearlings and calves. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $118/cwt to $120/cwt in mid-September, which is slightly above breakeven for most pen closeouts. After a very difficult financial period over the past 12 months, feeding […] Read more
Lower feed grain prices improve cattle outlook
The North American cattle industry is poised for positive economics over the coming year with stronger feeder cattle prices and a rebuilding of feedlot equity, as the two-year reign of historically high corn and barley prices comes to an end. The U.S. and Canada will replenish coarse grain stocks during the 2013-14 crop year allowing […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle trade remains volatile
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada traded very uneven last week depending on the region. Prices were $3 lower to $2 higher per hundredweight (cwt) in comparison to seven days earlier, with many factors influencing the daily attitude of buyers. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $118/cwt, which is slightly below break-even values on […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle ratchet higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher this week. Stronger U.S. feeder cattle prices, along with continued pressure on local barley values, were the main factors driving replacement cattle higher. The harvest is winding down and additional demand was noted from winter backgrounding operators for cattle under 700 pounds. […] Read more
Klassen: Soft feedlot demand limits strength in feeder market
This is usually the time of year when renewed optimism surfaces amongst cattle buyers as feedlots are anxiously placing market orders for fresh yearlings and calves. However, general comments from the industry reflect lacklustre buying interest for all categories of replacement cattle. While certain Alberta feeder markets were steady to $2 higher in comparison to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices firm as volumes increase
The market for feeder cattle is becoming more established now that volumes have increased at most auction markets in Western Canada. Feather-light steer calves under 400 pounds are regularly selling over $200 per hundredweight (cwt); however, heavier replacement cattle, 700 lbs. and heavier, are about $5-$8/cwt higher than year-ago levels. Alberta packers were buying fed […] Read more