Western Canadian feeder cattle prices set new record highs at most auction barns last week. It appears that pen closeouts are profitable by approximately $200/head and feedlot operators are anxious to reload. Buying interest for grassers is also starting to step forward and backgrounding operators were actively buying lighter weight cattle, lifting prices for calves […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market sets new records
Klassen: Feeder market stalls at higher levels
A sharp drop in wholesale beef prices, along with softer fed cattle values, caused the feeder market to finally run into some resistance last week. Adverse weather also tempered buying enthusiasm for lighter-weight cattle, with dreadful temperatures reported across most of Western Canada. The feeder market is indeed functioning to encourage production and ration demand, […] Read more
Klassen: Fed cattle prices continue to support feeder market
Strength in fed cattle prices in Alberta reached up to an astonishing $148.50 per hundredweight (cwt) last week, which spilt over into the feeder complex. Larger volumes of heavier feeder cattle are coming on the market, with backgrounding operations liquidating fall-placed calves, but this did little to stem the upward momentum. Overall, feeder cattle were […] Read more
Klassen: Upward momentum supports feeder cattle market
Newton’s first law of motion continues to describe the cattle market, as an object in motion tends to stay in motion until acted upon by another force. Last year is a distant memory for most cattle producers as ownership becomes a key feature and no eye blinks at paying $196 per hundredweight (cwt) for non-feature […] Read more
Feed Grains Overview
The feed grains complex has been under pressure throughout the fall season due to larger Canadian barley and U.S. corn production. Now that harvest is wrapped up, the fundamental structure is basically set for the crop year. Barley and corn values also affect feeder cattle prices and the overall margin structure for feedlot operators. Corn […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle continue to climb
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $5 to $8 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average, compared to seven days earlier, and are a solid $15/cwt higher relative to average values in December. Most auction barns are now back to regular sales after the holiday season and larger volumes allowed buyers to fully define the market […] Read more
Klassen: Feeders follow fed cattle higher
Fed cattle in Alberta jumped $4 per hundredweight last week, reaching $134/cwt, which is near record highs. The weaker Canadian dollar, along with historically strong wholesale beef prices, set a positive tone for the overall live cattle complex. It appears most pen closeouts are showing profits over $100/head, which something the industry has not experienced […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump early in 2014
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices are expected to jump $4 to $8 per hundredweight (cwt) over the next couple of weeks as stronger slaughter prices and lower feed grains continue to drive the market higher. While most auction markets were closed over the holiday season, feedlot operators are looking south for market direction on replacement […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle buyers eyeing risks in new year
This past year was another volatile 52-week period for the feeder cattle complex. Looking back at market reviews, I believe the lowest market sentiment was in late April when Charolais-cross steers were trading at $128 per hundredweight (cwt) in Lethbridge while barley was touching the $300 per tonne level. This past week, similar cattle were […] Read more
Klassen: Larger supplies stem upside in feeder market
Most of Western Canada experienced harsh winter conditions earlier in December, causing many auction barns to post pone sales by one or two weeks. Cattle buyers have now found larger volumes of lighter-weight calves coming on the market, which tempered the upside in the feeder cattle complex. Western Canadian calves were a solid $3 to […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
