Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices reflected a mixed tone over the past week with values $3 to $5 higher on vaccinated preconditioned calves; unvaccinated calves just off their mothers were $3/cwt to as much as $10/cwt lower in some cases. Yearling prices were also quite variable by as much as $10/cwt despite the tightening supply […] Read more
Klassen — feeder cattle market reflects mixed tone
Profitable U.S. feedlots buy more cattle in September
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in September increased one per cent from a year ago, a government report showed on Friday. Analysts attributed the gain in part to continued profits by feedlots that allowed them to purchase more young calves, or feeder cattle, to fatten. The U.S. Department […] Read more
High-priced calves drop U.S. July cattle placements by 7 pct
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in July dropped 7.0 per cent from a year ago as pricey calves deterred some feedlots from purchasing them for fattening, a government report showed on Friday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed July placements at 1.560 million head, down 7.0 per cent from […] Read more
LIVESTOCK: CME live cattle futures climb before USDA report
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Friday, supported by positioning before the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle-On-Feed report at 2 p.m. CDT (1900) GMT. Analysts expect the report to show fewer cattle entered feedlots in July as expensive calves discouraged some feedyards from buying them. On Friday, USDA will […] Read more
LIVESTOCK: CME live cattle end lower, but off session bottoms
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled lower on Friday, partly pressured by residual profit-taking and fund liquidation after Thursday’s deep losses, traders said. However, futures closed off morning lows following initial reports of a less-than-expected decline in the price for market-ready, or cash, cattle. “Judging by big futures losses on Thursday and […] Read more
LIVESTOCK: CME live cattle fall, pressured by equities tumble
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts closed sharply lower on Thursday, pulled down by the stock market’s sheer drop caused by European deflation and Argentina default worries. Wall Street investors dumped long positions across a broad range of commodities, including CME livestock futures, an analyst said. Global economic jitters could undermine consumer confidence, which could […] Read more
Cargill, citing shrinking cattle herd, to shut Wisconsin beef plant
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Cargill Inc, one of the nation’s largest beef processors, said on Wednesday it plans to close its Milwaukee, Wisconsin, beef-processing plant on Friday, because the size of the U.S. herd has fallen to its smallest in 63 years. The ground beef production side of the plant, which employs about 200 people, will remain […] Read more
U.S. proposes allowing more pork imports from Mexican states
Reading Time: 2 minutes The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a change in regulations that would relax restrictions on pork imports from certain areas of Mexico, potentially allowing for increased U.S. imports at a time of a supply shortage. The proposal would permit pork to be imported from certain parts of Mexico defined as having a […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market surges like a rocket — steers hit $330
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were extreme volatile and relatively undefined as the market made fresh historical highs. U.S. weekly beef production continues to come in below expectations and the market appears to be in a “supply shock.” At the same time, market-ready supplies of slaughter cattle are rather tight moving into August causing packers […] Read more
Livestock: Healthy pastures drop U.S. June cattle placements by 6 pct
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in June fell 6 per cent from a year ago as plentiful grazing land allowed animals to be fattened outside of feedyards longer, a government report showed on Friday. Feedyards are drawing from a shallow pool of market-ready animals after years of drought in parts […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
