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Tag Archives Meat industry

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Short-term gains, long-term pains

The market still needs to discourage beef production — and that hurts

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Fed and feeder cattle prices have been percolating higher recently as the markets adjust to lower-than-expected first-quarter beef production. Alberta fed cattle prices have been hovering in the range of $162 to $165, which is approximately $25 above break-even pen closeout values. Healthy feedlot margins allowed feedlots to bid up feeder cattle prices. Larger-frame steers […] Read more
cattle in a feedlot
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Market recovery still a year away

Market Update: Production is still high, start of beef herd contraction possible in late 2017

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On top of the CBOT building in Chicago stands a statue of “Ceres” — the Greek goddess of grain crops and fertility. An old myth amongst traders is that after a major bull run in a market when traders usually did very well, the Greek goddess wanted her money back. Fed cattle prices have been […] Read more
More thoughts on market options
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

More thoughts on market options

You may not need a price premium to see benefits of preconditioned calves

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Market analyst Jerry Klassen in his recent column isn’t painting a very bright cattle price outlook picture heading into this winter and early into 2017. An oversupply of beef in the U.S. and Canada is holding prices down. And of course those pork guys continue to push more product out the door — a lot […] Read more
*current financial status is based on time of writing (author) The final profit in this case
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Preconditioning calves still pays this fall

Pencil out the costs and consider other marketing benefits as well

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The weaned calf market reached a peak in the fall of 2014. Since then, mixed with lots of volatility, the value of weaned calves this fall is roughly half that nearly two years ago. Many cow-calf producers who sell weaned calves to feedlots are asking if preconditioning calves is really worth it. Yes, I believe […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Lower meat prices attract consumers

It’s still going to be a slow fall for prices, although expected to pick up in 2017

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Cattle prices appear to be stabilizing as the market absorbs the surge in third-quarter beef production. Alberta packers have been buying fed cattle in the range of $145 to $148 in August while prices in the U.S. Southern Plains have been hovering around US$120. Wholesale beef prices have also held value, enhancing margins for packers. […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

A good year to consider backgrounding cattle

Prices expected to be weakest during the fall of 2016

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The U.S. cattle herd has been in the expansion phase over the past couple of years and it is difficult for many producers to come to terms with the recent price activity. I’ve received many calls from both cow-calf operators and feedlot operators in regards to the price outlook and I basically focus on the […] Read more
Klassen: COOL may have been ahead of its time
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: COOL may have been ahead of its time

It probably created some economic losses, but more labelling is where food is heading

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Producers have been asking and I believe it is worth making a few comments about the outlook for markets and domestic prices at auctions and packing plants now that country-of-origin labelling (COOL) is no longer a requirement in the U.S. COOL was done away with in late December 2015 after the U.S. Congress attached a […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Good idea to contract fall calves

Market Update with Jerry Klassen

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Western Canadian fed cattle prices have held value throughout the first quarter of 2016 with Alberta values ranging from $175 to $178 per cwt. Feeding margins remain in negative territory on current pen closeouts, which has caused market-ready supplies to back up in the country. Carcass weights are running sharply above last year as feedlot […] Read more
Steve’s Trucking developed a hydraulic system to lift two decks inside an livestock trailer making it easier to load and unload animals.
Cattleman’s Corner, Hogs

Great ideas for lifting hogs recognized

Two different lift systems reduce stress for people and animals

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The 2016 F. X. Aherne award for Innovative Pork Production is being shared by two winners. Sam Gelowitz of the Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatoon, Sask. received the award for an innovative carcass-removal cart, while Steve’s Livestock Transport of Manitoba received the prize for a new hydraulic lift deck trailer. The awards were presented at […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Beef market will get worse, before it gets better

Over-supply and low demand – a deadly combination

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Fed and feeder cattle markets have been trending lower throughout the fall and early winter as the market contends with growing beef supplies and lacklustre demand. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $158 to $160 in mid-December while pen closeout breakeven values are closer to $200. Cold storage stocks of beef […] Read more

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