Finishers & Production Tips

Klassen: Favourable margins support feeder market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News January 2, 2019

There were no sales last week with auction barns closed for the holiday season; therefore, we start the year looking forward at factors that will influence the feeder market over the next month. While the feeder market was quiet, feedlot operators were surprised with the U.S. fed cattle market jumping US$3-$4 from seven days earlier. […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market ends year on firm tone

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News December 24, 2018

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets traded $3-$5 higher. Auction barns in the major feeding regions of Alberta had limited numbers on offer last week; therefore, major operations were sourcing feeders from farther distances. While most feedlots are carrying sufficient numbers, year-end buying was able set the market on a firm tone. April […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market bounces off recent lows

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News December 17, 2018

Compared to last week, yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 higher while calf markets strengthened by $4-$8. Southern Alberta experienced winds of extreme nature over the past few weeks, which caused buyers to shy away from the market; however, with year-end right around the corner, pent-up demand stepped forward with a vengeance in […] Read more

Both Canada and U.S. calf crop numbers are estimated higher from last year.

Cattleman’s Corner, Finishers, Markets

Calf production numbers increase forecast

Market Update: Producers need to be ready with risk management plans

By Jerry Klassen December 5, 2018

Alberta fed cattle prices have come under pressure over the past month. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $147 to $149 during the second week of November, down $4 to $6 from a month earlier. Weakness in the fed cattle market has spilled over into the feeder complex. Western Canadian yearling […] Read more

CME August 2019 live cattle (red) and January 2019 feeder cattle (blue). (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market searching for direction

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News December 4, 2018

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable from seven days earlier. Prices were unchanged in the eastern Prairie regions; however, Alberta markets traded $3 to as much as $7 below week-ago levels. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels, so there’s limited buying power available. Calves are fleshier […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News November 27, 2018

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels. Favourable weather conditions enhanced buying interest from cattle feeders in Feedlot Alley; however, cattle-on-feed inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels. Pen space remains at a premium due to limited capacity. County permit fees and added regulations have also […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Softer demand causes feeder prices to weaken

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News November 19, 2018

Compared to last week, Alberta feeder cattle markets traded $4 to as much as $8 lower; however, Manitoba and Saskatchewan prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $3 to $5 on average. Demand from Eastern Canada appeared to limit slippage in the eastern Prairie regions but some of these markets also faltered late in the week. […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Finishers, Markets

Time to buy cattle price insurance

Market Update: Cow-calf producers should sell their feeders with the lofty futures and historically strong basis

By Jerry Klassen November 14, 2018

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $151 to $153 on a live basis in mid-October, up approximately $10 from a month earlier. While Alberta prices have been percolating higher, fed cattle values in Kansas have hovered around US$111 on a live basis over the past four weeks. Market-ready supplies of fed […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Weather weighs on feeder cattle

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News November 13, 2018

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Eastern Prairie regions experienced demand from Ontario and Quebec, which limited the downside; however, Alberta markets faltered as buyers, having factored in a higher deathloss due to adverse weather. Light wet snow along with warmer temperatures during the […] Read more

Barley, Corn, Crops, Finishers

Pre-booked corn pushing barley and wheat out of Alberta feedlots

By GFM Network News November 8, 2018

CNS Canada – Cattle in “feedlot alley” in Lethbridge, Alta., won’t be seeing corn leave their diets any time soon, according to one feed grain buyer. “The marketplace booked up a fair bit of corn in advance of it, so through September, December and even out into March. So that’s all been done, that corn […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures spike, hogs mixed

U.S. grains: Soybean ease on harvest pressure, competition from Brazil

Russia’s top agriculture official blames low global grain prices for export slowdown

Finishers

Klassen: Favourable margins support feeder market

Klassen: Feeder market ends year on firm tone

Klassen: Feeder market bounces off recent lows

Calf production numbers increase forecast

Klassen: Feeder market searching for direction

Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes

Klassen: Softer demand causes feeder prices to weaken

Time to buy cattle price insurance

Klassen: Weather weighs on feeder cattle

Pre-booked corn pushing barley and wheat out of Alberta feedlots

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