Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Noticeable slippage was noted in shorter-keep cattle while lighter weight categories experienced spurts of $2-$3 above last week’s prices. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $292 on a dressed basis, up about $4-$6 from week-ago levels. However, auction rings experienced a subdued tone […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle upward trend stalls
Klassen: Feeder cattle continue upward trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels with lighter weight categories selling $6 to $8 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $286 to $288 on a dressed basis, up from $278 last week. This equates to $172-$174 on a live basis, a solid $35 above break-even pen […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle continue upward trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels with higher-quality cattle as much as $8 higher. Once again, stronger fed cattle prices and healthy feedlot margins were the main factors driving the market, especially in the heavier weight categories. Feedlots have liquidated a larger amount of fed cattle over the few weeks and […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump on healthy margin structure
Western Canadian feeder cattle jumped $3-$5 on average last week, with 800-plus-lb. yearlings trading as much as $8 higher. Historically high finishing margins finally resonated with feedlot operators and a precarious attitude from recent weeks was thrown by the wayside. Order buyers were inundated with interest as bids were relatively firm across the Prairies. Adverse […] Read more
Reading feeder cattle futures markets
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
The feeder cattle market has experienced unprecedented volatility over the past couple of years. Steers averaging 600 pounds traded for over $300/cwt in September of 2015 but in February this year sold for $198. The erratic price action has caused cattle producers to take more interest in hedging feeder cattle and the Western Livestock Price […] Read more
Klassen: Seasonal strong beef demand supports feeder market
Wholesale beef values have experienced a significant rally over the past couple of weeks, which has spilled over into the fed cattle trade. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $274 on a dressed basis, up $2-$4 from week-ago levels. Despite the strength in the fed cattle and healthy margin structure, Western Canadian feeder cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Healthy margins drive feeder complex
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher compared to week-ago levels. Buyers were quite meticulous on flesh levels and quality features in the heavier weight categories; however, feedlot operators were definitely more aggressive this week. Major operations have liquidated a fair amount of fed cattle and these players are anxious to reload […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle drop on cautious feedlot demand
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $8 below week-ago levels as feedlot managers anticipate growing beef supplies during the late spring and summer. Heavier weight categories absorbed the brunt of the selling pressure, with backgrounding operators liquidating fall-placed calves. Certain groups of higher-quality heifers held value with the purpose of […] Read more
Klassen: Tenacious feeder market softens on supply forecasts
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded steady to as much as $5 lower over the past week. Early in the week, buyers incorporated a risk discount due to the extremely cold temperatures, especially in the Eastern prairie regions. By Thursday, markets were factoring in the larger beef supply forecasts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, […] Read more
Prepare for spring rally on barley and feed grains
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
Southern Alberta feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $160/mt to $165/mt delivered over the past month; central Alberta operations were showing bids from $155/mt to $160/mt. Southern Manitoba feed mills have been buying barley with low vomitoxin levels from $155/mt to $165/mt but overall barley usage is limited in this region. Feed […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
