U.S. beef demand coming in stronger than anticipated

U.S. beef demand coming in stronger than anticipated

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Beef demand appears to be stronger than expected in the first quarter of 2024. There is a higher probability that the economic momentum will continue into the second and third quarters before softening late in the October through December period. Consumer spending at U.S. grocery stores and restaurants was higher than expected during January. In […] Read more



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Klassen: Feeder market resumes the climb

For the week ending March 30, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4 to $6 higher on average. Fleshier backgrounded yearlings were relatively unchanged. Buyers were fairly cautious on backgrounded heifers with some packages actually softer than seven days earlier. Larger strings of quality genetic, low flesh steers were up $6 to as much as $10 in some cases. Weaned, premium, calves were up a solid $5 to $6 on average.





(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling price trend stalls while calves ratchet higher

Larger players aggressively securing lightweight calves on expectations of low yearling supplies

Western Canadian feedlots are carrying sufficient numbers for the time being and feeding margins remain deep in red ink on unhedged cattle. Secondly, carcass weights are sharply above year-ago levels and Alberta finishing lots are backed up with market-ready supplies.

The constellation of prices is when the deferred live cattle futures behave and move in tandem with the nearby contract.

Constellation of cattle futures prices and futures markets spreads

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

The live and feeder cattle futures markets experienced sharp downward price behaviour during the final quarter of 2024. Although the price weakness was being influenced by the nearby fundamentals, the deferred live and feeder cattle contracts were also trending lower. In this article, I’m going to discuss market behaviour referred to as the “constellation of […] Read more