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Cattle prices encouraging herd expansion
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Cattle prices encouraging herd expansion

Market Update: Consumer spending on beef has been strong, but will it continue?

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During the third week of June, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $415/cwt delivered. Prices f.o.b the feedlot in southern Alberta were averaging $246/cwt. The U.S cattle herd has been contracting for the past four years. Cattle prices are now functioning to encourage expansion. Wholesale beef prices are also trading […] Read more
Pasture conditions during the spring and summer always have an affect on beef markets.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Positive margins underpin feeder complex

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: As usual, a lot will depend on whether there’s moisture for grass and feed grains

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During the second week of April, Alberta packers were buying live fed cattle in the range of $229-$230/cwt f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta. This is up approximately $7 from mid-April. Breakeven pen closeouts are around $220/cwt. After struggling for nearly three years in a row, feeding margins have finally moved into positive territory. Strength in […] Read more
Grocery store spending is up from last year but the rally in retail beef prices has come to a halt.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Fed cattle market sets new record high

Market Update: Good moisture should get pastures growing this spring, while calf prices are expected to trend higher until fall

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During the third week of April, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $222-$225/cwt delivered, which was a record high. Tighter market-ready supplies on both sides of the border along with a sharp year-over-year increase in demand have resulted a higher price structure. During March, U.S. restaurant sales […] Read more
Photo: Canada Beef Inc.
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Finishers, Livestock

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm on fed cattle strength

Alberta's disastrous wildfires may disrupt calf marketings

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Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearlings over 800 lbs. were quoted steady to $4 higher; feeders between 600-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 lbs. were $5-$10 higher. The market for calves under 600 lbs. was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on […] Read more
The western Canadian feeder market has been trading near historical highs.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Beef demand makes seasonal highs

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Consumer spending may decline if interest rates continue to increase

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During the week ending March 18, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis at an average price of $205/cwt delivered, up $9/cwt from mid-February. In the U.S., live cattle were trading in the range of US$164-US$165/cwt, up US$4/cwt from 30 days earlier. Beef demand typically makes a seasonal high in the latter […] Read more
Feed grain outlook lifts feeder cattle market
Cattleman’s Corner

Feed grain outlook lifts feeder cattle market

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: The outlook for corn in U.S. and Brazil is for near-record production

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The April 2024 live cattle futures have been trading near historical highs. As of early March, the contract was at $172.85/cwt. The live cattle futures are the feeder cattle futures five months forward. While the April live cattle futures are making fresh all-time highs, the November feeder cattle futures have been trading around $220/cwt. The […] Read more
There will be a sharp year- over-year decline in U.S. beef production in the second quarter of 2023.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Lower cattle supplies will be the theme for 2023

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Consumers keep buying despite inflation and high interest rates

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As of mid-February, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in a live basis in the range of $195-$196/cwt delivered, up $10/cwt from 30 days earlier. The market had been percolating higher due to tighter supplies of market-ready fed cattle. Dressed cattle marketing weights have been declining on both sides of the border, giving the feedlot […] Read more
U.S. continues with lower beef production
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

U.S. continues with lower beef production

Market Update: Feeder market is sending signals to increase heifer retention and herd expansion

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During the second week of January, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $312/cwt delivered, up $8-$10/cwt from mid-December. The backlog of market-ready supplies is slowly being alleviated, which has caused the fed cattle basis to strengthen.  Western Canadian carcass weights are now below year-ago levels. Wholesale […] Read more
Alberta fed cattle basis levels have been quite strong for the second quarter of 2023.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Feeder cattle sales are all about timing

Market Update: It’s important to have some choice when marketing calves

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I receive many calls from cow-calf producers regarding the timing of feeder cattle sales. Ranchers often feel they are at the mercy of the market. Cow-calf producers often feel they have no control on their marketing schedule. Many producers sell at the same time every year because that was the marketing strategy for their parents […] Read more
The U.S. beef cow slaughter is projected to reach up to 3.900 million head, up from 2021.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Cow-calf producers have opportunity for expansion

Calf prices expected to remain strong for at least two years, and perhaps three

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Throughout the fall, I received many inquiries from cow-calf producers regarding herd expansion. During the latter half of November, good bred cows and higher-quality bred heifers were trading in the range of $1,800-$2,200 in central and southern Alberta. Younger cow-calf pairs were selling in the range of $1,600-$2,100 in the same regions. With current prices […] Read more

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