Feeder cattle prices continue to grind lower as replacement cattle are now $8 to $10 off the spring highs. For example, central Alberta feeder steers weighing 620 pounds were selling for $150 during the first week of April, but last week brought back $139. This was a demand-driven rally and consumers are now backing away […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle remain soft
Market Talk – for May. 16, 2011
I’ve had many inquiries over the past month in regards to the corn outlook for 2011-12 crop year. The USDA March 31 seeding intentions survey had 2011 corn acres at 92.2 million which would be one of the largest acreages on record. Despite the larger plantings, the corn market has made new record highs and […] Read more
Klassen: Flooding, rains weigh on feeder cattle prices
Feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 lower last week as larger supplies weighed on the market structure. Backgrounding operators were waiting for drier conditions to liquidate supplies and there was a short window of opportunity last week. However, feedlot operators showed very little interest with the forecast for additional rains; softer slaughter cattle values […] Read more
Klassen: Rationing beef demand weighs on feeder cattle
Feeder cattle in Western Canada were $2 to $3 lower last week despite the lower numbers coming on the market. Weakness in the fed cattle prices, along with the potential for negative feeding margins, set a softer tone in the feeder complex. Buyers were not receiving the stream of orders last week and were rather […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle grinding lower
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada continue to grind lower due to softer slaughter values and rising feedgrain prices. Alberta fed cattle dropped $2 to $4 last week, with steers trading in the range of $108.50 to $111. On Monday (April 25), cattle in Texas traded at $117, down from $119 late last week. The […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle soften
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $2 to $3 lower last week due to weaker slaughter values and rising barley prices. Alberta steers in the 500- to 600-pound category traded in the range of $140 to $150; auction markets reported 600- to 700-pound replacement steers in the range of $134 to $144. Overall, buyers […] Read more
Klassen: Beef demand sustains feeder prices
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $1-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower on average for the week ending April 8. Feeder steers weighing 625 pounds sold for $155/cwt in southern Alberta while good quality 720-lb. cattle brought back $135/cwt. The Alberta slaughter market was $2 to $3 lower finishing at $113/cwt. Good framed healthy bred […] Read more
MARKET TALK – for Apr. 11, 2011
Cash barley values in Southern Alberta have been hovering in the range of $190 to $193 throughout the winter. Despite corn prices trading near historical highs, barley prices have struggled to move higher due to larger feed wheat supplies in Western Canada. Over the past two years, Western Canada has imported 0.8 to 1.2 million […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices consolidate
Feeder steers ranging from 700 to 750 pounds brought back $133 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta last week while lighter eight-weight cattle sold for $126/cwt. The feeder market appears to be consolidating at the higher levels, with feedyard managers extremely cautious after last week’s U.S. Department of Agriculture report. U.S. corn stocks as of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle trend stalls
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices took a break from the upward trend and traded on a softer tone last week. Adverse wet weather in the most regions had buyers discounting the market as they factor in feedlot inefficiencies. At the same time, the Alberta slaughter market was steady to $2 higher, limiting the slippage in […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
