Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quoted $5 lower to $5 higher on average in the week ending June 15. However, quality packages of yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels
For the week ending June 1, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to the previous week. It’s that time of year when volumes are limited and the market can be quite variable from region to region.
In the week ending May 25, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were trading $4 to $8 higher compared to seven days earlier. Some higher quality genetic packages of 700-pound plus cattle were up as much as $10 from week-ago levels.
For the week ending May 18, Western Canadian yearling markets were trading $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were relatively unchanged compared to the prior week. The feeder market appears to be consolidating near historical highs.
It’s that time of year when available supplies start to decline. At the same time, demand is limited. Most backgrounding operators have sufficient numbers and demand for grassers is waning. Ontario interest was noted in Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan, which appeared to sustain prices near last week’s levels.
For the week ending May 4, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable and the market was hard to define. Alberta and certain regions of Saskatchewan received snow, which caused the market to trade $3 to $5 lower. However, in Eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 higher.
Compared to last week, backgrounded yearlings traded $4-$8/cwt higher on average. Calves were quite variable with prices quoted from unchanged to as much as $10 higher. Overall, there appeared to be stronger buying interest this week across all weight categories.
Southern Alberta has received over 200 percent of normal precipitation over the past 30 days. Pen conditions are rated poor to very poor in the main feeding pockets of Alberta. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have received less than 40 per cent of normal while Central Alberta has normal to below normal precipitation.
Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4-$8/cwt lower while some packages of heavier replacements dropped as much as $12/cwt, and three main factors led to weaker prices.