Healthy calves in a feedlot.

Klassen: Supply is up, will demand follow?

Market Update: The economy needs to improve before consumers will buy more beef

All factors considered, Canadian cattle producers need to be cautious because the market is contending with a year-over-year increase in supplies and softer demand for 2016. The U.S. experienced historically low beef production in 2015 but it appears with the expansion of the cattle herd, beef supplies will sharply increase from now through 2017. This […] Read more



(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle move higher with beef prices

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts settled higher on Monday, buoyed by the morning’s wholesale beef price turnaround, traders said. Buy stops and fund buying contributed to CME live cattle futures advances, they said. February closed 1.05 cents/lb. higher at 136.425 (all figures US$). April ended at 134.625 cents, up 0.675 […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Lower fed cattle market pressures feeders

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were trading $5-$10 below week-ago levels on average last week. Fully weaned vaccinated calves were trading down $5-$8 while semi-weaned bawlers were down a solid $10. Shorter-keep replacements over 850 lbs. were down $8-$12 depending on flesh levels but harder-looking cattle were down sharply, as much as $15. Extremely cold […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market experiences defensive tone

Feedlot operators continue to pull in the reins on replacement cattle purchases because another month-end budget for the bank does not look healthy. Alberta sales barns experienced a soft tone, with sales $4 to $6 below week-ago while eastern Prairie regions received spillover support from U.S. markets. Manitoba markets were notably $3 to $8 higher […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeders still vulnerable in financial market turbulence

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a defensive tone over the past week. Cattleman had their eyes glued to the equity market meltdown, which enhanced fears the fed cattle market would follow suit. Live cattle futures were on a roller coaster, and a late-week bounce in the Canadian dollar added to market uncertainty. Buyers were […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Uncertainty causes feeder market volatility

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded steady to as much as $10 lower compared to week-ago levels. Feedlot hands are contending with adverse winter conditions and cattle travelling farther distances were down $6 to $12 in non-major feeding regions. Feeder markets were slightly softer Monday through Wednesday; however, feedlot operators were quick to back away […] Read more


(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

U.S. livestock: Beef price rebound pulls CME live cattle higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts finished moderately higher on Wednesday, helped by short-covering following the day’s turnaround in wholesale beef values, traders said. February live cattle closed 0.5 cent/lb. higher at 132.1 cents, and April ended up 0.325 cent, to 133.025 cents (all figures US$). Wednesday’s afternoon’s wholesale beef price, […] Read more