Alberta packers bought slaughter cattle in the range of $110-$112 per hundredweight last week, down $3/cwt from a week earlier in June. Packers have finished purchases for the July 4 weekend; therefore, the market was experiencing softer demand. Sluggish fed cattle prices caused feeder cattle to trade $2-$5/cwt lower in comparison to a week earlier. […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed cattle spill over into feeder complex
Klassen: Feeder cattle market edges higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average last week. Auction market volumes have been declining, but steady feedlot demand and the weaker Canadian dollar have supported the feeder market. Major feedlots are moving through a massive liquidation phase of fall-placed calves and margins have been fairly positive on these […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market holds value
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady last week with week-ago levels, with grass cattle trading $2-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) higher. The market in general is experiencing lower volumes with steady demand. Despite the weaker economic situation, fed cattle prices appear to be stabilizing, with the deferred live cattle futures factoring in lower production for […] Read more
Cattle market softens in the second quarter
Fed cattle prices continue to trend lower in the second quarter due to weaker beef wholesale prices and larger-than-expected production. Texas fed cattle traded as low as $119/cwt in late April, which is down $11/cwt from the March highs. Alberta slaughter cattle have also been under pressure trading $109/cwt to $111/cwt, down $8/cwt in comparison […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market has mixed tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight higher last week. The weaker Canadian dollar, along with steady feedlot demand set a firmer tone. Favourable rains over the past couple weeks have also enhanced demand for grass cattle. Feedlots are moving a large amount of fed cattle at this time of year; […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market consolidates
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady with week-ago levels. A stronger fed cattle market along and higher live cattle futures in the deferred months set a positive tone for lighter-weight feeders. Heavier replacement cattle were under pressure as current feeding margins continue to struggle in red ink. Comments from the industry were that […] Read more
Klassen: Demand for grass cattle supports feeder market
The feeder cattle market showed a mixed tone this past week. Replacement cattle over 750 pounds were $2 per hundredweight (cwt) lower to $2 higher, but lighter feeders were $2-$4/cwt higher. Feedlots realize that available feeder cattle supplies will decrease over the next couple months. However, with feeding margins deteriorating, it is difficult to increase […] Read more
Cattle market softens in the second quarter
Fed cattle prices continue to trend lower in the second quarter due to weaker beef wholesale prices and larger-than-expected production. Texas fed cattle traded as low as $119/cwt in late April, which is down $11/cwt from the March highs. Alberta slaughter cattle have also been under pressure trading $109/cwt to $111/cwt, down $8/cwt in comparison […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stabilize
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices appear to have stabilized for the time being. Auction market volumes are declining in line with the seasonal tendency and demand is sufficient to sustain the current price structure. Fed cattle prices were down as much as $3 per hundredweight (cwt), which continues to weigh on the feeder complex. Alberta […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle hold value
Feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 lower in comparison to a week earlier. A mixed group of age-verified steers weighing 581 pounds sold for $166 per hundredweight in east central Alberta. Charolais-cross medium-flesh age-verified steers weighing 680 lbs. traded for $160 in the Picture Butte area. A larger group of heavy-flesh black and red […] Read more