(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

R-CALF suit alleges U.S. packers conspired to suppress fed cattle prices

Reuters — Four of the largest U.S. beef-packing companies were accused in a lawsuit on Tuesday of violating federal antitrust law by conspiring to drive down prices they paid ranchers for cattle, even as retail beef prices hovered near record levels. Tyson Foods, Cargill, the JBS USA unit of Brazil’s JBS and National Beef Packing […] Read more



Cow Eating Hay At Feedlot

Volatile summer cattle market forecast

Market Update: U.S. feeder cattle supplies remain burdensome

Western Canadian fed and feeder cattle markets are poised for volatile behaviour over the next four to six months. U.S. first- and second-quarter beef production are expected to come in below a year ago. During the third and fourth quarters, there will be a sharp year over year increase in beef production. As of late […] Read more



U.S. cattle herd still growing, but at a slower pace

U.S. cattle herd still growing, but at a slower pace

Market Update: Numbers indicate we're still a couple of years away from contraction

The USDA cattle inventory report in late February showed cattle inventory and calf numbers were above a year ago, but the expansionary phase appears to be slowing. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. for 2018 had a year-over-year increase of 65 per cent. The larger U.S. calf crop may temper demand for Canadian feeder […] Read more



Understanding feeder cattle price structure

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Comparing prices for custom feeders and a finishing feedlot

The feeder cattle futures have traded in a narrow range since early November but we’ve seen severe swings in the western Canadian feeder cattle basis. This has made it difficult for the cow-calf operator and backgrounding operator to project a forward price for summer and fall. I’ve also received inquiries in regards to the price […] Read more