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Decreased prices, market uncertainty and reduced available pen space led to fewer placements in April.
Beef Cattle, Markets

Weekly slaughter levels lowest in decades

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the June 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed cattle This spring, weekly slaughter levels were nearly 60 per cent lower than a year ago and the lowest recorded since 1973. From mid-March to the first week of May, the cash market dropped $50.56/cwt to reach a low of $107.00/cwt. Although volumes are light, losses on cattle sold into this lower-cash market are […] Read more
Market uncertainty continues to drive live cattle futures lower.
Beef Cattle, Markets

Reduced shifts, closures see cash cattle prices sink

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the May 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed cattle Fed cattle cash prices in recent weeks have moved sharply lower as uncertainty in the market continues to drive live cattle futures lower. Reduced packing plant shifts and temporary closures across North America in recent weeks have pressured the market. Disruptions to consumers’ lives and livelihoods have shifted consumer spending. Product demand at […] Read more
The coronavirus’s spread has shifted beef consumer behaviours to end cuts and grinding and trim products.
Beef Cattle, Markets

COVID-19 pandemic sees cattle markets plunge

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the April 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed Cattle Global uncertainty resulting from the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic has caused all financial and commodity markets to struggle. The cattle markets have not been excluded from this as we have watched the fed cattle price plummet in recent weeks. The fed cattle cash average is $141.54/cwt, which is $22/cwt lower than the high […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Markets

Coronavirus impact spreads to cash cattle markets

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the March 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed Cattle A downtrend in the technical market in recent weeks resulting from uncertainty surrounding the economic impacts of the coronavirus has spread to the cash market as well. Locally, the cash fed cattle price has fallen $11.00/cwt over the past two weeks. The current fed steer average is $152.54/cwt. Fortunately, the higher prices that […] Read more
Tight supplies and the current feeding sector are setting the tone for stronger first-quarter prices.
Beef Cattle, Markets

Tight supplies push fed cattle cash prices higher

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the February 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed Cattle The fed cattle cash market had a great start in 2020. Tight market-ready supplies helped push prices higher and led to current feedlots as cattle were pulled ahead to sell into the stronger market. The fed steer price averaged $163.64/cwt the second week of the year, an improvement of $9/cwt from the beginning […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Markets

Good beef demand in 2019 supports fed cattle prices

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the January 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed Cattle Demand has been key in 2019. Good beef demand in both Canada and the U.S. has supported fed cattle prices throughout the year. Fed prices rallied again in November and early December in Western Canada. Support coming from tighter front-end supply and growing holiday demand led to a 13 per cent increase in […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Markets

Fed cattle prices seen higher on sustained demand

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the December 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed cattle The last two weeks have seen fed cattle prices pushed higher by continued demand, the re-opened border, higher cut-out values and reduced supplies. Seasonally, fed prices are responding to demand for middle meats as buyers look towards their holiday needs in the coming month. At the same time, China announced that it has […] Read more
Feeder placement has been slower though the fall run of 2019 than in recent years.
Beef Cattle, Markets

Domestic, export demand supporting fed cattle prices

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the November 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed cattle The western Canadian cash bids have seen week-over-week increases since mid-September. At mid-October, fed prices were nearing $144/cwt. This is $7.57/cwt higher than the low set in August but still $6.38/cwt below the average price the same week last year. Although carcass weights are 10 lbs. heavier than a year ago — at […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Markets

Fed cattle market wrestles with low prices

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the October 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed cattle The fed cattle market has struggled in September as it looks to make its annual low. A combination of seasonal factors and the reduced kill capacity following the Tyson fire in the U.S. have contributed to lowered prices. The fed cash price has moved below break-even levels, with an average the last week […] Read more
U.S. feeder cattle prices have been under pressure the last few weeks.
Beef Cattle, Markets

Pressure ahead for fed-cattle markets

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the September 30, 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Fed cattle Seasonal pressure coupled with leverage loss partly due to the U.S. packing plant fire resulted in smaller weekly kill capacity. Locally, demand is softer following the September long weekend, which is generally the case. In addition, front-end supply is building and packer lift times have lengthened. Over the past five weeks, the fed […] Read more

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