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Beef Cattle

CME August 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Stronger deferred live cattle support feeder market

Cow-calf operators seen hesitant to expand

By ,
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Calf prices were mostly unchanged compared to seven days earlier; however, there were pockets where buyers reported prices up $2-$3 on average. The Alberta calf market appeared to stage a minor recovery after softening over the past month. Manitoba markets […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Monitoring the cow herd before winter

A thorough checkup can identify problems early and reduce losses

By
Now is the time to do a good inventory of feed sources and whether there is enough for a long, cold winter. I always recommend to be on the lookout for alternative feed sources, as one never knows when you could run short. Feeds ranging from distillers grains to cull potatoes are among alternative sources. […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences diverse price behaviour

Manitoba calves hold a premium over Sask., Alta.

By ,
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher while calf prices were unchanged to $4 lower. Yearling supplies are limited and there appeared to be a surge of buying interest for 850-lb. thin-fleshed replacements. Alberta fed cattle basis levels for the second quarter of 2023 have above average and the […] Read more
While the fed cattle market has held value, the feeder market has come under pressure.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Prairie feeder outlook bullish in the long term

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Prices are encouraging many Canadian producers to keep replacement heifers

By
During the first half of October, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $300-$305 delivered. Using a 60 per cent grading, this would equate to $180-$183/cwt on a live basis. For March and April delivery, Alberta packers have been forward contracting in the range of $345-$350 cwt on […] Read more
Reg Schellenberg. (Schellenberg family photo via Canadian Cattlemen)
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Canadian Cattle Association president Reg Schellenberg dies

Saskatchewan rancher had led CCA since March

By
Updated, Dec. 7 — Western Saskatchewan rancher Reg Schellenberg, who had led the national organization representing Canada’s beef cattle producers since March this year, died suddenly Friday at age 63. The Canadian Cattle Association reported Schellenberg’s death in a release Saturday, adding that the association’s current vice-president, rancher Nathan Phinney of Sackville, N.B., will now […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market rations demand

Risk discount built in with adverse weather

By ,
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calf prices were steady to $6 lower. Demand from Ontario buyers caused markets in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan to hold value. Alberta prices were under pressure as the market appears to be rationing demand. Calf prices are 25-30 per cent higher than year-ago […] Read more
CME August 2023 live cattle (candlesticks) beneath CME December 2023 live cattle (top line), The spread between the two has been influencing the price structure for calves, Jerry Klassen writes. (Barchart)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Stronger deferred live cattle futures support feeder market

Fall run seen moving into final stages

By ,
Compared to last week, western Canadian calf markets traded $5 lower to as much as $3 higher. Quality groups of heifers weighing 550-700 lbs. were notably $2-$3 higher and this was largely due to lower supplies of steers. Weather conditions improved in southern Alberta, which was supportive; however, buyers were cautious. Quality pre-conditioned calves held […] Read more
Some producers say it just doesn't make sense to keep any open cows in the herd.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Cull beef cows are pure economics

One producer finds there is no good reason to keep an open cow

By
In the fall, when the spring calves are weaned and removed from the cow herd, most producers walk through their herd on pasture or at home and think about which cows they should cull. Once candidates are picked, another decision is made as to whether to sell them immediately or feed them for the next […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Adverse weather limits demand for calves

Stronger Canadian dollar adds pressure

By ,
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 higher. Calves traded steady to $10 lower in Alberta while markets in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were quoted $5 lower to $2 higher. Adverse weather resulted in a softer tone for calves with Lethbridge temperatures dipping to -25 to -33 C last week. The […] Read more
Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA’s logo on a tower in Jundiai, northwest of Sao Paulo in southeastern Brazil, on June 1, 2017. (File photo: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker)
Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

Meatpacker JBS’s plunging profit beats forecasts

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Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil’s JBS SA, the world’s largest meat producer, on Thursday said quarterly profit plunged 47.1 per cent, but results still beat analysts’ estimates as higher revenues helped offset shrinking margins in its U.S. beef division. The company posted a third-quarter net profit of 4.01 billion reais (C$1.001 billion), while analysts […] Read more

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