Fed cattle After three weeks of hovering around $150/cwt, the average Alberta fed cattle price increased slightly by mid-August to $151.43/cwt. That is $17.32/cwt higher than one year ago when we were still working through the COVID backlog, and over $9/cwt higher than the five-year average. While sale prices are above last year, the high […] Read more
Fed cattle prices see slight increase, beef demand strong
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the September 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Deteriorating pastures, feed concerns sees early push of cattle to market
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the August 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The Alberta fed cattle market moved seasonally lower through July. Lower cut-out values and increasing front-end supply pushed the fed steer average in Alberta to $152.19/cwt on July 16, down $12.53/cwt from five weeks earlier. Looking at a five-year average, the July 2021 average is $9/cwt higher. While basis levels in Alberta have […] Read more
Fed cattle finding profitable territory
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the June 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle After over a year of losses, feedlots are beginning to see fed cattle marketed back in profitable territory. Fed cattle prices have strengthened over the past month. Seasonal price improvement, tighter numbers, excellent export demand and strong cut-out values have led to an increase of over $10/ cwt over the past four weeks. […] Read more
Fed cattle prices see a boost
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the May 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Tighter front-end supplies and higher cut-out values on both sides of the border have boosted fed cattle prices. Although not climbing as rapidly as the cut-out value, the Canadian fed cattle price saw a $2/cwt increase between late March and April 9. The second week of April saw a fed steer average of […] Read more
McMillin: Fed cattle market sees little improvement
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the April 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle A larger domestic slaughter supply coupled with heavier carcass weights limited seasonal improvement in the fed market. The fed steer average in mid-March was $149.93/cwt, $0.98/cwt lower than the start of the month and down $2.65/cwt when compared to a year ago. Mid-March 2020 was the start of the market disruptions due to […] Read more
McMillin: Fed cattle prices slowly improving
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the March 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Fed cattle prices are slowly improving. The Alberta average climbed $0.50/cwt to $151.20/cwt at the start of February. Since the beginning of the year, the average has climbed nearly four per cent. Packer interest has been solid but larger fed cattle supply has limited seller leverage and high feed costs are encouraging feeders […] Read more
Fed cattle supply interest picks up in new year
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the February 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The start of fed cattle trading in 2021 saw active interest in supply with prices higher than year-end. The backlog from the spring of 2020 appears to have been cleaned up and packers are looking to secure additional inventory. The first weekly average reported in 2021 was $145.53/cwt. This was $1.16/cwt higher than […] Read more
McMillin: Fed-cattle prices stubborn to move
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the January 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle December is typically a strong month for fed cattle prices and while prices have started moving higher, the rate of increase has been disappointing. Recent foodservice restrictions, cancelled holiday parties, uncertainty around jobs and income all have an impact on beef movement. However, more people working from home and limited restaurant spending has […] Read more
McMillin: Large carcasses weigh on fed market
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the December 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed Cattle As packers worked through backlogged inventory and the seasonal increase, prices were pushed lower. More longer-fed cattle came to market, evident in record-high carcass weights. Carcass weights hit 969 lbs. on November 7, 29 lbs. over last year and an increase of 27 lbs. from the previous month. The additional tonnage weighs heavily […] Read more
McMillin: Cattle prices come under pressure
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the November 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed Cattle Larger carcass weights and falling live cattle futures made way for lower fed cattle prices by mid-October. Slaughter rates remain solid while packers work through the remaining backlog. However, carcass weights have crept up in recent weeks in Canada, sounding a cautionary tone as feedlots become less current and more pounds must work […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
