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Beef Cattle

(Geralyn Wichers photo)
Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market bounces on lower volumes

Feedlot operators believe yearling numbers will be down in March and April

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Strength was noted in Manitoba and Saskatchewan while a softer tone was evident in Alberta. Once again, buyers shrugged off the weaker feeder cattle futures and the focus was on filling year-end orders. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots are carrying larger numbers but there appears to be sufficient bunk capacity available to sustain the price structure.
As consumers run short of disposable income in 2024, it is expected there will be a reduced demand for beef.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

USDA increases beef production forecasts

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: All factors suggest the winds of market change are beginning to blow

By
Alberta fed cattle prices during November were averaging $385/cwt on a dressed basis, down $5/cwt from 30 days earlier. Live prices f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta were quoted in the range of $228/cwt to $230/cwt, the lowest since May. The market has come under pressure as U.S. beef forecasts for the first half of 2024 […] Read more
File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Strong demand continues to support feeder market

Significant downside risk ahead

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For the week ending Nov. 25, western Canadian yearling prices were $4-$8/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. However, calf markets were firm trading $5-$8/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to values quoted a week prior. Optimal weather in southern Alberta caused major feedlot operators to stretch their hands across the Prairies. At the […] Read more
(Geralyn Wichers file photo)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Canadian feeder buyers ignore weaker futures market

U.S. feedlot placements up four per cent

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For the week ending Nov. 18, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Buyers appeared to shrug off the weaker futures market and the defensive tone from a week earlier evaporated. Eastern Prairie markets were firm, with larger packages of quality cattle trading a solid […] Read more
As many cattle come home from summer pasture with poor mineral status, it is important they receive the proper vitamins and minerals during the winter feeding.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Minerals take centre stage in winter ration for beef cows

Prepare a well-balanced blend and make sure they eat it

By
As a beef nutritionist, I take a practical approach to formulating overwinter cattle minerals: complement macro-minerals of a nearly all-forage gestating cow diet, meet the gestation cows’ trace mineral and vitamin requirements and put it into a package that most cows will easily consume at a constant daily rate. In this way, I have done […] Read more
File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)
Beef Cattle, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Cash feeder prices soften on futures market uncertainty

Supplies are higher than expected as consumers reign in spending

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The live and feeder cattle futures appear to be incorporating a risk discount due to the uncertainty in demand. Consumers are pulling in the reigns on spending. Interest rates are at 40 year highs and inflation remains elevated. Larger supplies and lower demand results in lower prices.
It just takes one colostrum-deprived calf to start a bad clinical case and the rest of the herd becomes highly exposed to infectious scour causing organism and a wreck develops.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Second year for scours vaccine shortage

Animal Health: Preventing disease is always a good place to start

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We live in a world where vaccinology has been one of the mainstays of disease prevention in livestock in general — producers definitely rely on it. This year, one of the main scour vaccines has been absent in the marketplace for the second straight year. There are alternative products, but their use may mean tweaking […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Buyers contemplate feeder market prices

In adverse weather, sale results vary

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Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5/cwt lower on average although limited numbers made the market hard to define. Calf markets traded $4-$8/cwt on either side of unchanged. It appeared that 700-plus-lb. calves were up $4 to as much as $8. The variation in the price structure was due to the adverse […] Read more
In Western Canada, market-ready fed cattle supplies are expected to exceed year-ago levels from January through March by 20,000 head each month.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

All signs point toward herd expansion

Market Update: Cow-calf operators and backgrounders need to adjust marketing strategy

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During the first half of October, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at average prices of $390/cwt. Live prices f.o.b the feedlot in southern Alberta were quoted at $233/cwt. The Alberta fed cattle market was unchanged from 30 days earlier. Market-ready supplies in the U.S. will tighten during the fourth quarter […] Read more

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