Reading Time: 2 minutes Wholesale beef values have experienced a significant rally over the past couple of weeks, which has spilled over into the fed cattle trade. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $274 on a dressed basis, up $2-$4 from week-ago levels. Despite the strength in the fed cattle and healthy margin structure, Western Canadian feeder cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Seasonal strong beef demand supports feeder market
Klassen: Healthy margins drive feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher compared to week-ago levels. Buyers were quite meticulous on flesh levels and quality features in the heavier weight categories; however, feedlot operators were definitely more aggressive this week. Major operations have liquidated a fair amount of fed cattle and these players are anxious to reload […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle drop on cautious feedlot demand
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $8 below week-ago levels as feedlot managers anticipate growing beef supplies during the late spring and summer. Heavier weight categories absorbed the brunt of the selling pressure, with backgrounding operators liquidating fall-placed calves. Certain groups of higher-quality heifers held value with the purpose of […] Read more
Klassen: Tenacious feeder market softens on supply forecasts
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded steady to as much as $5 lower over the past week. Early in the week, buyers incorporated a risk discount due to the extremely cold temperatures, especially in the Eastern prairie regions. By Thursday, markets were factoring in the larger beef supply forecasts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets digest USDA inventory report
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 higher to as much as $10 lower compared to week-ago levels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle on Feed report, along with U.S. inventory data, confirmed larger beef supplies in upcoming months, which set a negative sentiment amongst feedlot operators. Auction markets experienced variable price ranges on similar-weight […] Read more
U.S. December feedlot cattle placements hit six-year high
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. feedlots brought in 18 per cent more cattle in December than the year-earlier month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday, which topped forecasts and reached a six-year high for that month. Higher prices for slaughter-ready, or cash, cattle last month improved profit for feedlots. That allowed them to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle resume upward trend
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices resumed the upward trend after a brief dip during the first major snowstorm of the year. Feeder cattle weighing above 750 lbs. traded $2-$4 above week-ago levels while calves were readily selling for $4 to as much as $8 higher. Optimism abounds in the feedlot sector, as Alberta fed cattle […] Read more
Six risk factors for BRD in feeder calves
There are many factors to consider to minimize BRD (bovine respiratory disease) when bringing in feeder calves. Knowing the history of the calves at weaning time, distance transported, vaccination and health history, as well as upcoming weather conditions will help you determine the level of risk. In bringing in calves, or for that matter feeding[...]
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Klassen: Feeder cattle jump on positive outlook
Reading Time: 2 minutes Average prices for steer and heifer calves jumped $8-$10 this past week with some buyers reporting values as much as $15 above week-ago levels. Feedlot operators could feel it in their bones earlier in November and there were no strings attached on orders flowing across the Prairies. Favourable weather reinforced the narrow premium of weaned[...]
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Major Alberta cattle feeder set to shut feedlots
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — One of Canada’s biggest cattle feeding operations, Western Feedlots, said Wednesday it will close feeding operations after marketing the cattle it currently owns, due to poor market conditions. Closure of Western’s feeding operations, likely early in 2017 once its current cattle are sold, will make it more difficult for ranchers to find markets[...]
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A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
