Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as most auction barns are either closed for holidays or sold minimal volumes of feeder cattle. The weaker Canadian dollar should be supportive to the feeder complex, but there wasn’t enough trade to define the market. Cargill’s High River, Alta. beef plant was not actively […] Read more
Klassen: Cattle market digests StatsCan, USDA reports
Klassen: Heavy rains slow feeder cattle movement
Heavy rains over the past week in southern Alberta caused most major feedlot operators to halt purchases of replacement cattle. Therefore, the market had a softer tone despite lower volumes coming on the market. Cost per pound gain can increase by 10 to 15 per cent when pen conditions deteriorate, and it appears that feedlots […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market uneasy
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower in comparison to seven days earlier, depending on the weight category. Alberta packers were buying slaughter steers in the range of $118-$122/cwt and this volatility resulted in softer bids for heavier replacements. Favourable pasture and forage conditions underpinned the market for feeders […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market consolidates
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady with week-ago levels, with auction barns experiencing lower volumes. The cow-calf producer has hopes of higher prices later in summer, and with plentiful forage supplies and favourable pasture conditions, there is little incentive to move cattle to auction. Backgrounding operators have also finished liquidating fall-placed calves, resulting […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle quiet but firm
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average last week as Alberta fed cattle prices surged by $4/cwt, reaching $123.50. Feedlot margins are now clearly in positive territory for the first time since last summer and there appears to be renewed enthusiasm moving forward. Strength in wholesale […] Read more
Market update: Consumer demand boosting cattle market
Fed and feeder cattle prices have been ratcheting higher in May as wholesale choice beef prices reached all-time highs. It appears after a long winter, consumer demand is stepping forward more aggressively on the retail and restaurant level. Alberta fed cattle prices made yearly highs in May reaching up to $121/cwt, which is the first […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market steady on lower volumes
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as lower volumes were noted at all auction yards. The farmer/cattle producer was busy seeding and pasture conditions remain favourable across the Prairies. Major feedlot operators are content with current inventories into the summer months, given the feedgrain and margin uncertainty. Alberta packers bought fed […] Read more
Market Update: Long winter weighs on consumers and markets
Fed and feeder cattle prices in Western Canada have traded in a sideways range over the past month. Negative feeding margins and the high cost of feed grains has limited the upside on feeder cattle while stagnant wholesale beef prices and lower-than-expected consumer demand has tempered any strength in the fed market. The prolonged winter […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stable on fed cattle strength
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as continued strength in fed cattle and lower available supplies continued to support the market. Favourable weather allowed seeding to progress quite rapidly in most regions of the Prairies, which resulted in lower auction market volumes. Most backgrounding operations have liquidated fall-placed calves by this […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices edge higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week as feedlot margins remain in positive territory. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $120-$121/cwt which was similar to prices seven days earlier and it appears that market is adjusting to lower feedlot inventories in the wake of stronger […] Read more