Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $1-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower on average for the week ending April 8. Feeder steers weighing 625 pounds sold for $155/cwt in southern Alberta while good quality 720-lb. cattle brought back $135/cwt. The Alberta slaughter market was $2 to $3 lower finishing at $113/cwt. Good framed healthy bred […] Read more
Klassen: Beef demand sustains feeder prices
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices consolidate
Feeder steers ranging from 700 to 750 pounds brought back $133 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta last week while lighter eight-weight cattle sold for $126/cwt. The feeder market appears to be consolidating at the higher levels, with feedyard managers extremely cautious after last week’s U.S. Department of Agriculture report. U.S. corn stocks as of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle trend stalls
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices took a break from the upward trend and traded on a softer tone last week. Adverse wet weather in the most regions had buyers discounting the market as they factor in feedlot inefficiencies. At the same time, the Alberta slaughter market was steady to $2 higher, limiting the slippage in […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle hold value
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were $1 to $2 higher despite the weaker tone in other commodity markets. Fed cattle were steady to $1 lower causing feedlot buying interest to remain strong throughout the week. Healthy feeding margins along with weakness in the corn market appeared to override the Japanese demand uncertainty. In central Alberta, […] Read more
Non-Price Factors Challenge Beef
I recently provided the cattle and beef outlook at the Canadian Wheat Board Grain World Conference. Prior to discussing supply and demand forecasts, I gave a brief overview of challenges for the Canadian beef industry. After the session, most people approached me or emailed with questions regarding the preamble rather than the market outlook itself. […] Read more
Feeder Cattle Hedging 101
Feeder cattle prices have been trading at historical highs over the past month and I’ve had many inquiries regarding the basics of hedging. Many cow-calf producers are looking to secure similar prices for the fall and need to learn the basics about hedging feeder cattle production. We have all seen how quickly markets can change […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle remain strong despite Japanese uncertainty
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices jumped $3 to $5 per hundredweight last week. Healthy feedlot margins, along with weakness in the corn market, set a positive tone for replacement cattle. Feedlot managers are particularly interested in lightweight feeders that will be marketed in the fourth quarter. Lower beef production in the latter half of 2011 […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder prices consolidate
Feeder steers weighing 525 pounds brought back $160 per hundredweight last week in central Alberta as feedlot buyers continue to be aggressive with nearby purchases. Overall, the feeder market was $1 to $3 higher across Western Canada. Anticipated strength in the fed cattle market for the September through December timeframe is driving demand for lightweight […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stalling
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady with week-ago levels as the market appears to be losing upward momentum. Cattle weighing 500 to 600 pounds were averaging $168 in southern Alberta, which is marginally lower than a week earlier. Above-normal precipitation throughout the winter will result in stronger demand for grass cattle. Some of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle remain firm
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to slightly higher in comparison to week-ago levels. Auction market volumes or feedlot placements appear to be increasing as fall-backgrounded calves come on the market. Steers just over 500 pounds touched the $170 per hundredweight (cwt) level in southern Alberta; 6-weight cattle were also quite firm, selling […] Read more
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