For the week ending April 19, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to $3 above week-ago levels. Many auction barns did not have sales due to Good Friday but sale volumes were also smaller at active locations.
Chicago live cattle and feeder contracts rose on Thursday as the USDA's cattle on feed report showed cattle inventory down two per cent compared to one year ago.
For the week ending April 12, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded stead to as much as $10 higher compared to seven days earlier. The market has fully recovered from U.S. tariff uncertainty. Strength in the fed cattle market and healthy feeding margins continue drive replacement prices upward.
Live and fed cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were lower on Thursday, while those for lean hogs were higher. The June live cattle contract retreated 3.175 cents at 195.200 cents per pound. May feeder cattle futures dropped 2.900 cents at 275.300 cents per pound. The USDA reported wholesale boxed beef prices were lower […] Read more
During the week ending April 5, the feeder market felt sluggish early in the week. Prices were a bit softer on Monday and by Wednesday morning, quoted values were $10 to as much $20 below week ago levels. After making weekly lows Wednesday, prices fully recovered to the previous week’s levels.