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Klassen: Feeder market drops sharply

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Photo: Lisa Guenther

For the week ending November 1, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $15-$30/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. Cash feeder markets were off by $30-$40/cwt early in the week but then marginally recovered on Wednesday as the feeder cattle futures market stabilized.

There were a few exceptions. Higher quality yearlings over 800 pounds coming straight off grass were unchanged to $10/cwt lower on average. Calves under 550 pounds were unchanged to $15 lower compared to prior week.

The TEAM video market report had a package of 120 Simmental Angus cross heifers averaging 1,000 pounds straight off grass, with full processing records but no implants valued at $425/cwt fob ranch near Elkhorn, Manitoba for delivery the week of November 3-7th.

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A cattle producer north of Calgary reported a larger package of 1,000 pound black wide frame Limousin cross steers off grass with full processing data and implants traded for $458/cwt fob ranch deliverable November 3-7.

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In central Alberta, there were packages of quality steers in the weight range of 800-825 pounds that traded in the range of $465-$485/cwt early in the week. On Monday, at the Killarney sale, a group of 25 black steer calves averaging 836 pounds traded for $482/cwt. On Thursday, at the Ste Rose Auction Mart in Manitoba, a smaller package of Charolais cross steers off grass averaging 870 pounds traded $513/cwt.

A rancher reported a larger package of Simmental-based steer calves averaging 700 pounds coming off cows and forage with processing records sold for $548 at a ring sale north of Calgary. Southeast of Saskatoon, a cattle buyer reported at group of 50 black heifers straight off their mothers and pasture averaging 705 pounds were valued at $480/cwt fob ranch.

At the Vermillion sale a package of 48 tan steers with a mean weight of 607 pounds traded for $599/cwt. At the same sale, a group of 25 Charolais heifers averaging 625 pounds sold for $547/cwt.

The TEAM video market report had a group of 80 Angus cross steers with a mean weight of 540 pounds with health records and no implants off cows and grass sold for $686/cwt fob ranch near Maple Creek, Sask., for immediate delivery.

At the Ponoka ring sale, a group of 16 red mixed heifers weighing 538 pounds off cows grass and hay with full processing data and no implants were last bid at $557/cwt. There was also a group of tan steers straight off their mothers averaging 500 pounds that traded for $744/cwt.

The Rimbey market report had a handful of May/June born black calves averaging 469 pounds coming off cows and pasture with health data priced at $741/cwt.

The April live cattle futures were trading $25-$30 off the contract highs. If feedlot operators didn’t hedge up incoming feeder cattle earlier in October, the margins on current inventory is negative $350-$450 per head. U.S. feeder cattle markets were down US$20/cwt-US$30/cwt from seven days earlier.

About the author

Jerry Klassen

Jerry Klassen

Contributor

Jerry Klassen graduated from the University of Alberta in 1996 with a degree in Agriculture Business. He has over 25 years of commodity trading and analytical experience working with various grain companies in all aspects of international grain merchandising. From 2010 through 2019, he was manager of Canadian operations for Swiss based trading company GAP SA Grains and Products ltd. Throughout his career, he has travelled to 37 countries and from 2017-2021, he was Chairman of the Canadian Grain and Oilseed Exporter Association. Jerry has a passion for farming; he owns land in Manitoba and Saskatchewan; the family farm/feedlot is in Southern Alberta. Since 2009, he has used the analytical skills to provide cattle and feed grain market analysis for feedlot operators in Alberta and Ontario. For speaking engagements or to subscribe to the Canadian Feedlot and Cattle Market Analysis, please contact him at 204 504 8339 or see the website www.resilcapital.com.

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