Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
Markets are understood looking backwards but must be traded looking forwards. — Larry Williams I’ve received many inquiries over the past couple of weeks in regards to the feeder cattle market. The recent price activity has surprised many producers and analysts, including myself. After a rather bearish outlook earlier in winter, the feeder cattle market […] Read more
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
It’s that time of year when I receive many calls from cattle producers with regard to the price outlook for feed barley. This past winter, feed barley in southern Alberta has readily traded in the range of $155/mt to $165/mt delivered, while values in central Alberta are usually a $10/mt discount. The 2016-17 crop year […] Read more
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen, from the April 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Feeder cattle prices have been percolating higher since November 2016 and I’ve received many inquiries regarding the price outlook for the fall of 2017. The U.S. cattle herd is moving through an aggressive expansionary phase while the Canadian cattle inventory has remained relatively stagnant. The year-over-year increase in feeder cattle numbers south of the border […] Read more
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
The feeder cattle market has experienced unprecedented volatility over the past couple of years. Steers averaging 600 pounds traded for over $300/cwt in September of 2015 but in February this year sold for $198. The erratic price action has caused cattle producers to take more interest in hedging feeder cattle and the Western Livestock Price […] Read more
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
Southern Alberta feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $160/mt to $165/mt delivered over the past month; central Alberta operations were showing bids from $155/mt to $160/mt. Southern Manitoba feed mills have been buying barley with low vomitoxin levels from $155/mt to $165/mt but overall barley usage is limited in this region. Feed […] Read more
Whenever I provide a market outlook for a producer group or convention related to beef production, I always start off by asking how many producers subscribe to market information. Inevitably, maybe three or four hands go up. The market outlook is always the last topic of discussion at the convention and needless to say, given […] Read more
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
I’ve received many calls from feedlot and backgrounding operators in regards to the outlook for feeder cattle. Earlier in fall, there remained a fair amount of excitement that was left over from last spring. Feeder cattle prices held up remarkably well even though feedlot margins were struggling in red ink. We now find Alberta packers […] Read more
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
I’ve received many inquiries over the past few weeks in regards to managing price risk in a declining market. Many producers have been using the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) over the past couple of years. Recently, backgrounding operators have been asking how they buy price insurance when the costs are not conducive to […] Read more
I’ve received many inquiries in regards to the feed grain outlook. Feedlot pen closeouts have moved into red ink and many operators are now wondering if they should extend coverage on feed wheat and barley. The feed grain complex experienced a sharp rally during the early-summer drought period only to relax as late-July rains enhanced […] Read more
Feeder cattle prices reached historical highs earlier in spring and the market has been relatively stable throughout the summer. The market has been characterized by lower volumes and various quality over the past couple of months which can make it hard to define. The factors that drove the market higher during the spring time frame […] Read more
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