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Klassen: Challenging weather influencing feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calves appeared to trade $3 lower to as much as $5 higher. Weather conditions have played a larger role in the price structure this fall. Major finishing feedlots continue to focus on preconditioned calves and have left the unweaned or unvaccinated feeders to the […] Read more





CME February 2020 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hogs reach two-month low

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures fell to a two-month low on Thursday on large supplies and uncertainty over negotiations to boost trade with China, the world’s top pork consumer. Traders and meat producers are hoping for further U.S. pork sales to China, which is grappling with a fatal pig disease that has […] Read more



Photo: File

Klassen: Feeder cattle market consolidation continues

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels. Larger pre-sort calf sales were held across the prairies. Buying interest was barely sufficient to support the market at the current levels.  The risk tolerance shifted from medium to low this past week. Discounts appeared to be more severe on unweaned and unvaccinated calves. Colder […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Steady demand seen for all feeder cattle

Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged.  Yearlings supplies were limited in certain regions which caused buyers to shrug off fleshier characteristics in some cases; however, heavier yearlings over 950 pounds were somewhat softer. Finishing feedlots appeared to be more aggressive on heavier, vaccinated or pre-conditioned calves. Many auction barns […] Read more