
Tag Archives livestock markets

Fed, feeder cattle prices in record-high range
Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association
Fed cattle found substantial tailwinds, making new record-high prices in March 2023. Feeder prices in the first quarter of 2023 are approaching the record highs from 2015. Strong cattle prices are being supported by tighter North American supplies. Following two years of drier conditions, Canadian and U.S. cattle inventories were lower to begin 2023. Fed […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm on fed cattle strength
Alberta's disastrous wildfires may disrupt calf marketings
Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearlings over 800 lbs. were quoted steady to $4 higher; feeders between 600-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 lbs. were $5-$10 higher. The market for calves under 600 lbs. was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on […] Read more

Moisture is key to success in the cattle business
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Cattle producers throughout North America know that sufficient moisture is critical for running their operations. Whether it be in the form of rain or snow, moisture allows grass to grow for grazing and for making hay. It allows crops to grow that feed cattle on the ranch or in the feedlot. It also allows ranchers […] Read more

Spring demand, strong wholesale drives fed cattle prices
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the May 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The cash market in the U.S. rebounded following a drop in March in response to the mid-month financial turmoil. In Canada, the cash market was not negatively affected and steadily improved, posting new record highs. The first week of April saw the fed steer average in Alberta at $217.59/cwt, an improvement of $7.17/cwt […] Read more

Lower feed grain prices to drive feeder market higher
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen, from the April 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
I’ve received many calls over the past month regarding the price outlook for Canadian barley and U.S. corn. Alberta cattle feeders have relied on imports of U.S. corn over the past couple of years. Canadian barley supplies have been extremely tight over the past two years. The drought of 2021 resulted in a sharp decline […] Read more

Fed cattle prices reach new highs
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the April 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Fed cattle prices in Canada reached new highs during the second week of March. Urged higher by tightening supplies, smaller beef production, solid demand and stronger cutout values, the average fed steer price reached $203.90/cwt in Alberta. An average of $203.90/cwt is an improvement of nearly 10 per cent or $17.86/cwt since the […] Read more

Cattle herd poised to expand while economy cools
Market Update with Jerry Klassen: A small change in supply has a large influence on the price
Several studies from universities in Canada and the U.S. analyze the financial returns for feedlot operations. Feeding cattle is a pure competitive market. One characteristic of a pure competitive market is that the margins drop to the least-cost producer. In the long run, the margins are negative. Two other characteristics are unique to the cattle […] Read more

How drought might define 2023
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
The recent holiday season brought the best possible gift to many U.S. cow-calf producers — rain. But two years of extensive drought have had a big impact on U.S. cattle numbers and this might linger in 2023. The silver lining to the drought’s impact is higher prices for all classes of cattle. Cash live cattle prices […] Read more

Beef demand remains strong, cattle supply expected to tighten
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the March 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Since the start of 2023, the fed cattle cash market has continued to grind higher. By mid-February, the Alberta fed steer price was $194.10/cwt, which is more than an $8/cwt improvement since the start of 2023, and over $34/cwt higher than the same week in 2022. Although prices have improved, the Canadian market […] Read more

Mintec acquires Agribriefing to expand agrifood data offering
Paris | Reuters — British market intelligence firm Mintec announced on Tuesday the acquisition of Agribriefing in a deal it said would create a leading global provider of data on agricultural and food markets. Financial details were not disclosed. Agribriefing’s businesses include protein price-reporting agency Urner Barry and crop consultancy Strategie Grains, the latter acquired […] Read more