Tag Archives cattle prices
Market Intelligence Update from Canada Beef: U.S. imports of Canadian beef see continued growth
Sales of Canadian beef In August, U.S. imports of Canadian beef moved higher for the second consecutive month. August beef imports totalled 85.4 million pounds (38,755 tonnes) carcass weight, four per cent higher than August 2022 and three per cent higher than the five-year average for August. August is typically the peak month for Canadian […] Read more
Fed-cattle prices dip, beef demand sees pullback
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the December 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle After months of mostly steady fed cattle prices, the market dipped in mid-November in response to negative packer margins, large volumes of contract cattle limiting cash trade and slower beef movement. The November 10 fed steer average at $230.89/cwt is 25 per cent or $47/cwt higher than the same week in 2022. When […] Read more
Fed cattle prices hold steady, beef production below year-ago levels
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the November 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The fed price in Western Canada has held mostly steady as supplies have been ample but manageable with adequate fall demand. Slaughter capacity limited upside as additional cows took up some of the available hook space. Recently, the fed steer average has stayed between $390/cwt and $391/cwt. The mid-October average is right at […] Read more
Is the economy at the peak of expansion?
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
When I started writing for Canadian Cattlemen many years ago, I had the pleasure of talking to an old-time cattle feeder. He gave me some extraordinary wisdom. He stated if you want to be a successful analyst in the cattle market, you need to focus on economy and consumer spending. Since the recession in 2020, […] Read more
The economics of preconditioning
Why aren’t more producers preconditioning calves? Kathy Larson dives into the research
Does preconditioning your calves pay? It has been a long-studied and debated topic. When it comes to preconditioning cattle, “every operation is different,” says Kathy Larson, research associate for the department of agricultural and resource economics at the University of Saskatchewan. Larson says there is opportunity for profit in preconditioning every year but it’s variable. […] Read more
Auction mart report for week of Sept. 1, 2023
Regional market analysis from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, courtesy of the Livestock Markets Association of Canada members.
Southern Sask | Western Man. Southern Saskatchewan report, courtesy of Whitewood Livestock Light run this week. Expect it to be the third week of September before we see many calves. Demand across all classes. Had several light, fresh calves but quality wasn’t the greatest. Expect this market to remain strong. Will see some pressure as […] Read more
Fed cattle prices strong, parched pastures accelerates yearling run
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the September 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Feedlot margins are positive while packer margins have started to struggle. As packers push back, carcass weights have grown, supplies have increased slightly and beef demand dipped lower during the extreme summer heat. All this has contributed to a seasonal reduction in fed cattle prices.. From the June price high of $247.84/cwt, prices […] Read more
Feeder cattle market functions to encourage expansion
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
In the September 6, 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen, I wrote an article stating that fed cattle numbers were expected to be extremely tight in the first half of 2023. I included a chart projecting that the feeder cattle futures would reach historical highs in October and November of 2023. Over the past couple of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market consolidates at historical highs
Higher borrowing costs offset lower feed prices
For the week ending Saturday, western Canadian yearling steer prices were quoted $2-$4 higher; yearling heifers traded $2 higher to $5 lower. Calves were relatively unchanged although volumes were limited. Larger groups of quality genetics were well bid while second tier cattle were marginally discounted off the highs. Some ranches are liquidating yearlings about one […] Read more
Record fed cattle prices, feeder prices also seen strong
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the June 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Fed cattle prices continue to set new records in 2023. Significant increases in exports led to current marketing positions for feedlots sooner than expected. Supplies are tight and carcass weights have dropped which has packers looking to secure inventory and cut back on kill days. In mid-May the fed steer average in Alberta […] Read more