(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Strong beef demand lifts live cattle to one-year high

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle on Tuesday spiked to their highest since mid-April 2016, driven by improved wholesale beef demand that may underpin cash prices this week, said traders. They said profit-taking pulled back-month futures down from new contract highs achieved earlier in the session. April live cattle closed 0.35 cent/lb. […] Read more

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U.S. livestock: Funds, beef demand fuel CME live cattle rally

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished sharply higher on Tuesday, driven by fund buying and brisk wholesale beef demand, said traders. They said deferred-month contracts’ discounts to this week’s expected cash prices provided additional market support. February live cattle, which expired at noon CT, closed 1.225 cents/lb. higher at 126.6 […] Read more


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Klassen: Feeder cattle prices climbing

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were trading $5-$7 above week-ago levels, with higher-quality cattle trading as much as $10 higher. It’s difficult to quarrel with one’s bread and butter; feedlot margins are now in positive territory and cattle feeders are keen on ownership with the positive outlook into the March timeframe. Feature presort calf sales […] Read more

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Klassen: Feeder cattle markets establish fundamental equilibrium

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels as most auction barns held featured or pre-sort calf sales. However, premiums of $3 to as much as $8 were noted on pre-conditioned, quality-weaned replacements. Time in the market is more important than timing the market; longer term risk adverse feeding reinforced the fact […] Read more





(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market drops on fed cattle weakness

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $128-$130 this past week — the lowest levels since December 2013 and down nearly $18 from a month ago. Weekly beef production continues to defy expectations, bludgeoning feeding margins across the Prairies. Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quick to respond, trading $8-$10 below week-ago […] Read more

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Klassen: Feeder market stable but demand remains soft

Comments from the country this week suggested the market was slightly firmer than week-ago levels. However, market reports stated prices were relatively unchanged and actually softened late in the week. The old saying that even a priest lies about his car’s gas mileage applies to overly optimistic cattlemen trying to bolster market enthusiasm. Feedlot margins […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market well supported

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady with week-ago levels as volumes continue to decline into the summer months. The quality of cattle coming on the market this time of year is quite variable. Background operations are liquidating their final volumes and feeders over 800 lbs. set the market structure. Larger-frame mixed steers averaging […] Read more