Despite lower numbers on finishing operations, slaughter numbers in Canada are about 80,000 head higher than a year ago.

Beef complex moving toward higher supplies

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Already-tight feeder margins expected to be negative by early fall

During the last week of April, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $160 to $163 on a live basis. The market has been contending with tighter supplies of market-ready cattle south of the border. At the same time, wholesale beef prices have been percolating higher as retail and restaurant demand moves […] Read more






(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






CME May 2019 feeder cattle with Bollinger (20,2) bands, a gauge of market volatility. (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market incorporates risk premium following U.S. floods

Compared to the previous week, western Canadian feeder cattle sold steady to $4 higher the week ending March 23. Favourable spring weather enhanced demand for yearlings from major finishing operations; Lethbridge-area markets were notably $3-$5 higher as feedlots focused on local cattle. While feeding margins remain in negative territory, strength in the deferred live cattle […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle tumble on bearish USDA data

U.S. livestock: Live cattle tumble on bearish USDA data

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures dropped sharply on Monday in reaction to a government report that showed larger-than-expected supplies of cattle on feed in the U.S., traders said. Nearby cattle futures contracts fell more than 1.5 per cent, with selling accelerating as prices breached key technical support levels. The selling […] Read more