Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $119-$121 per hundredweight (cwt) last week, which was the main factor causing feeders to trade steady to $2/cwt higher. In Nebraska, slaughter steers traded at an all-time record high of $131/cwt as choice wholesale beef prices reached highs not seen since late 2003. The US. […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger fed markets spill over into feeder complex
Klassen: Favourable weather supports West’s feeder market
Favourable weather in southern Alberta, along with stronger fed cattle prices, were the main factors causing the feeder market to trade $2 to $4 per hundredweight (cwt) at most auction barns in Western Canada. Alberta packers were buying slaughter cattle in the range of $118-$119/cwt last week, up a solid $5/cwt from seven days earlier, […] Read more
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder markets remain volatile
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unstable trading steady to $4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower on average, following major U.S. markets lower. U.S. feeder cattle prices were generally down $5-$7/cwt, with spillover pressure from the broad-based commodity sell-off. Prices in Eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba were as much $10/cwt below major Alberta markets, causing feedlot operators […] Read more
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder market unstable
Western Canadian feeder cattle were $2 higher to $2 lower per hundredweight (cwt) on average last week. Eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba values appeared to be following the U.S. feeder markets, which were down $3-$6/cwt relative to seven days earlier. Demand for grass cattle was evident on the lighter weight categories, but replacement cattle over 700 […] Read more
Klassen: Western Canadian feeders steady to $2 higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average, with certain auction barns reporting prices $2-$4/cwt higher, especially for lighter weight feeders under 600 pounds. The Canadian market was led higher by prices in the U.S. major markets which were a solid $2-$4/cwt higher on average. Alberta packers were […] Read more
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder market poised to bounce
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady with week-ago levels but the market is poised for stronger prices in the fall period. Thursday’s U.S. Department of Agriculture report was negative for feedgrain prices as corn stocks will be sufficient to satisfy feeding requirements until the new crop. At the same time, U.S. farmers intend […] Read more
Klassen: Negative feedlot margins weigh on feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower last week as feeding margins fell further into red ink. Fed cattle prices in Alberta were also $2-$3/cwt lower trading in the range of $111-$112/cwt. Feedlot operators have endured a prolonged period of negative margins, which is starting to weigh heavily on the feeder […] Read more
Consumers careful about food dollars
The temporary closure of the XL beef plant at Brooks, Alta. along with a firm Canadian dollar were the main factors limiting the upside in October. Fed cattle in Western Canada continue to trade in the range of $106/cwt to $108/cwt, similar to month earlier while the steers in the U.S. Southern Plains were selling […] Read more
Klassen: Adverse weather slows consumer demand
The beef complex has been heavily influenced by adverse winter weather in the major urban areas of Eastern Canada and along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Restaurant traffic and retail beef movement have been slower than expected as consumers endure unprecedented snowstorms. While average consumer spending generally slows the first two months of the year, increased […] Read more
Klassen: Sluggish consumer demand tempers feeder cattle
Alberta feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week while values in the eastern Prairies were slightly softer. Buying interest for grass cattle was noted at many auction markets which caused lighter feeders to trade with a stronger tone. The cattle complex seems to be suffering from sluggish consumer spending […] Read more