U.S. livestock: Live cattle hit contract highs on weather woes

U.S. livestock: Live cattle hit contract highs on weather woes

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose Tuesday, with the benchmark June contract hitting a high as poor feedlot conditions in portions of the U.S. Plains raised concerns about beef supplies, traders said. Lean hogs closed lower in a profit-taking setback from contract highs set a day earlier. Fat cattle futures […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market continues consolidation pattern

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 on either side of unchanged. The market was quite variable across the Prairies. Demand from south of the border evaporated due to adverse weather while southern Alberta experienced favourable spring conditions. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $260 on a dressed basis, up […] Read more





U.S. livestock: Hog futures mixed after hitting three-month high

U.S. livestock: Hog futures mixed after hitting three-month high

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures were mixed on Wednesday, with the front-month contract easing on profit-taking after rallying to a three-month high while deferred contracts rose on expectations of tight supplies, traders said. Live cattle contracts were firm following two straight days of declines with concerns about a massive U.S. storm system […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hogs extend win streak on short-covering, firm cash

U.S. livestock: Hogs extend win streak on short-covering, firm cash

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures rallied to two-month high on Tuesday, their third straight day of gains, as investors scrambled to cover shorts amid concerns about supplies and signs of cash market strength, traders said. Live cattle futures were weaker, with abundant supplies continuing to weigh on the market. Concerns about African […] Read more


CME April 2019 live cattle, with August 2019 live cattle in brown. (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market holds value

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Buying interest for yearlings was somewhat stronger while calves in the eastern Prairie regions were softer. Moderate temperatures are in the seven-day forecast for most of Western Canada, so the risk discount due to adverse weather has evaporated. Barley jumped an additional […] Read more




Canadian prices divorce from U.S. fundamentals

Canadian prices divorce from U.S. fundamentals

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Alberta feeding margins are in the red by $200 per head for feedlots selling in the spot market

There was unusual price behaviour in western fed and feeder markets during the first weeks of February. Earlier in January, Alberta fed cattle prices reached a high of $166 on live basis for March delivery. By mid-February, Alberta packers were only bidding $150 on a live basis for March 1-15 delivery. At the same time, […] Read more