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Klassen: Positive fed outlook buoys feeder market
Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Positive fed outlook buoys feeder market

Market telling producers to own lighter cattle sooner rather than later

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Western Canadian feeder cattle prices for 800-pound plus cattle were $2/cwt to $4/cwt higher on average for the week ending January 27. Feeders in the 500-800-pound category were up $3/cwt to $6/cwt with higher quality groups up as much as $10/cwt in some cases. Feeders 500 pounds and lower were unchanged from seven days earlier.
(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)
Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market holds value despite negative margins

U.S. demand limited with colder temperatures in Midwest

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Calf markets appeared to trade $2 to $3 above week-ago levels on average. Feedlot margins on current pen close-outs are negative $300 to $350 per head but replacement markets haven’t missed a beat. Finishing feedlots were once again bidding aggressively on backgrounded cattle with fleshier types experiencing limited slippage. Larger pen sized groups were on the higher end of the priced spectrum with buyers avoiding smaller packages.
Canada’s calf crop doesn’t move through expansion and contraction as it does in the U.S., but over the next year, we may see the Canadian herd mirror U.S. expansion.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Is it time for beef cow herd expansion?

Prices for calves have been strong, but it usually takes a year of high calf prices before expansion starts

By
Feeder cattle have been trading near historical highs over the past six months. I’ve received many emails and inquiries from cattle producers asking if there is still an opportunity to expand their herds. Producers also ask if they should buy now or wait until spring. Medium-quality bred cows have been trading in the range of […] Read more
Cattle use round bales as a wind break. (NDSU photo)
Beef Cattle, Markets

Klassen: Yearling return to the lineup on strong demand

Frigid temperatures result in limited volumes

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The market hasn’t missed a beat and started the year where it left in December. The only difference is there are larger supplies of yearlings coming on stream. The benchmark levels had backgrounded steers averaging 1,000 pounds trading from $280-$285/cwt with top bids rounding at $290/cwt. Steers averaging 850-pounds were averaging $300/cwt with top-notch larger groups peaking at $305.
(Sierrarat/iStock/Getty Images)
Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market quiets at year-end

Feeding margins have moved into negative territory, setting a negative tone for replacements

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The last full week of 2023 was characterized by lower volumes and limited buying interest. Feedlot operators don’t want to weigh down schedules of hired hands over the holidays. Many auction barns were closed for the season while some held bred cows and bred heifer sales.
(Lisa Guenther photo)
Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market ends year on mixed sentiment

Some feedlots becoming backed up with heavier cattle, setting negative tone for feed complex

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Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged, to as much as $10 lower compared to last week. Demand for heifers was suffering last week. A weaker tone was noted in the Eastern prairie regions as Ontario demand appeared to evaporate last week. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $368-$370/cwt, down $7-$8 from last week.
(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.
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

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