Debbie McMillin

DEB’S OUTLOOK FED CATTLE In the near term, supplies will remain sufficient in North America. The market remained sluggish at the end of 2009 as packing plants were long on inventory and heading into holiday kills. Looking into the first quarter of 2010, a large number of early-placed yearlings that put on gain during a […] Read more

MARKET SUMMARY FED CATTLE By mid-November Alberta fed cattle averaged a dismal $77.75 per cwt, down more than $17 from the same week in 2008. Consumers made nervous by the troubled economy continue to spend cautiously, seeking out products such as grind and trim cuts that will stretch their dollar a bit further. Most of […] Read more

Deb’s Outlook FED CATTLE Consumer demand is still the wildcard in the fed cattle outlook. Heading into fall fed cattle supplies were expected to tighten and prices strengthen. However, lower fed prices and cheaper cost of gain have increased carcass weights. In addition to the beef in the market, there is ample pork as well. […] Read more

FED CATTLE Beef movement and consumer demand tend to increase heading into fall as cooler weather arrives and as fall schedules kick in. In addition, North America fed supplies are expected to tighten through the next two months. Both factors are very supportive to the fed cash market. As long as the Canadian dollar doesn’t […] Read more

Deb’s Outlook FED CATTLE In the near term slower beef movement coupled with large pork inventories and higher beef carcass weights will weigh heavily on the cash market. The higher Canadian dollar has already had a negative effect on fed prices. Some analysts project continuing strength in the currency. If this is accurate the dollar […] Read more

Deb’s Outlook Fed Cattle Summer fed supplies have been ample to sustain the lower demand for beef in North America. Pork supplies have also been large through the summer. The shaky North American economy will continue to drive the market for the remainder of the summer and fall. One positive for the fed cattle is […] Read more

Fed Cattle Concerns of beef demand through the recession did not alter the fed cattle prices through the first four months of 2009. The seasonal pattern remained intact, strengthening through the first quarter to reach a typical spring high. Since then, fed cattle prices have experienced pressure. A combination of recent strength in the Canadian […] Read more

FED CATTLE Fed cattle prices in Alberta increased steadily in the weeks leading up to mid-April. Feedlots were in a favourable position as we moved through April with a combination of tight fed supply, light carcass weights, a lower Canadian dollar when compared with a year ago and a seasonal demand that pushed fed steer […] Read more

Fed Cattle Canadian fed cattle picked up steam over the past few weeks as feedlots remained current and packers had to reach a bit further for inventory. The weaker dollar also contributed to the rally. The week ending Mar. 13, Alberta fed steers jumped $7 from late February to average $92.29. The fed basis has […] Read more

Fed Cattle Fed cattle prices the past four weeks in Alberta have held mostly steady, the price average ranging from $86.43-86.93/cwt. The mid-February average steer price in Alberta was $86.93/cwt, which was more than $5.50/cwt higher than the same week in 2008. Western Canadian feedlots remain very current in marketings, giving sellers some bargaining position […] Read more