Debbie McMillin

MARKET SUMMARY FED PRICES The new year saw a contra-seasonal move in fed cattle prices at a time when the market typically struggles to keep up as post-Christmas expenses are realized and consumer spending slows pulling down meat sales. In spite of a strong Canadian dollar, fed cattle prices have climbed nearly $3 from the […] Read more

FED CATTLE Fed cattle prices held up well in the fall of 2010 and performed better than expected given concerns over rising feed costs in the U.S. Alberta fed steers posted a new annual high averaging $98.04 per cwt in the first week of December, surpassing the spring high of $95.75. However pressure was noted […] Read more

FED CATTLE This fall’s strong fed cattle market slipped a bit in the first two weeks of November with prices losing $2.50 per cwt to an average $93.34. Basis levels remained tight at -4.40 per cwt. While seasonal trends suggest it should shrink even further toward the end of the year it is already much […] Read more

MARKET SUMMARY Fed Cattle During this typically sluggish time of year when large front end-supplies normally pressure prices, sellers have been able to pull steady to higher prices for fed cattle in recent weeks. After dipping into the upper ’80s in September Alberta fed steers popped back up to $91.13 by mid-October, $13.30/cwt better than […] Read more

Fed Cattle Recent strength in the Canadian dollar, weaker futures, increased inventories and slower beef movement have all put pressure on the fed cattle market in the past few weeks. By the second week of September Alberta fed steers were back down to $89.38 after touching $91.39 at the start of the month. The fed […] Read more

Fed Cattle A slightly weaker Canadian dollar and strength in cut-out values in recent weeks has created opportunity for a rise in fed steer prices. At mid-August the Alberta fed steer price was $89.14 per cwt, up $8.34 from the same date a year ago. The strong August market resulted from current feedlots holding leverage […] Read more

MARKET SUMMARY Fed Cattle Fed cattle prices have risen 21 per cent since the start of 2010. In the past four weeks prices jumped $11 per cwt to average $95.75, finally pushing into a profitable level. This recent rally is the result of seasonally higher cutout values, a rising U. S. cash market and strength […] Read more

Fed Cattle Fed cattle prices increased over the past six weeks despite the dollar. A stronger basis reflected increased export demand supported by a weather market in the U. S. Alberta fed steers moved from $76.62 to $84.70 per cwt at mid-March as the basis narrowed to 8.03 under the U. S. compared to -15.17 […] Read more

DEB’S OUTLOOK FED CATTLE Early yearling placements last summer ensured ample market-ready cattle at the start of 2010. But supplies were expected to tighten by the end of the first quarter and into the second right when consumers start dusting off their grills. Let’s hope the recovery has been enough to be reflected in their […] Read more