Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded in line with week-ago levels on average, though the market was quite variable across the Prairies. Favourable temperatures in southern Alberta enhanced demand on all weight categories, especially on grassers from 500 to 650 lbs. Higher-quality backgrounded cattle were also $4-$8 higher in certain cases in Alberta. In Saskatchewan […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle steady but demand remains sluggish
Monarch population rebounds, still well off highs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Austin, Tex. | Reuters — North America’s monarch butterflies are on a rebound and the number of the plucky orange and black creatures, which gather in Mexico before flying north to Canada, could soon stand at around 150 million, a new survey showed on Feb. 26. The survey from a scientist at Natural Resources Defense […] Read more
Klassen: Buyers risk-averse on feeder cattle
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were trading $5-$10 below values seven days earlier. Sharper declines were noted on heavier replacements over 800 lbs., which at times sold for $15 below week-ago levels; quality mid-weight feeders in the range of 600 to 800 lbs. were down $8 on average. Eastern Prairie markets held value on feeders […] Read more
Cargill to supply Alberta carcass data to BIXS
Reading Time: 2 minutes One of Canada’s biggest beef packers is set to supply the specs on beef carcasses processed at its Alberta plant to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) BIXS information-sharing system. Cargill and BIXSCo, the CCA-backed operators of BIXS (Beef InfoXchange System), announced Thursday that the multinational agrifood firm will provide its past three years of beef […] Read more
Cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in January dip from last year
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle moved into U.S. feedlots in January slipped one per cent from last year, according to a government report on Friday, nearly matching average industry forecasts. Feedlots were cautious about buying calves, or feeder, cattle while struggling to recoup 14 straight months of lost profits, partly blamed on […] Read more
Klassen: Lower fed cattle market pressures feeders
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were trading $5-$10 below week-ago levels on average last week. Fully weaned vaccinated calves were trading down $5-$8 while semi-weaned bawlers were down a solid $10. Shorter-keep replacements over 850 lbs. were down $8-$12 depending on flesh levels but harder-looking cattle were down sharply, as much as $15. Extremely cold […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Fund buying boosts CME live cattle limit-up
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled up by their three-cent-per-pound daily price limit on Tuesday, driven by short-covering and fund buying, traders said. February and April ended at 132.95 cents and 132.125 cents/lb., respectively. Live cattle’s trading limit will be expanded to 4.5 cents on Wednesday. “There was no rationale […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlots risk-averse on feeder cattle purchases
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced a softer tone over the past week. Alberta prices were generally steady to $4 lower while in the eastern Prairies, markets were $4 to $7 below week-ago levels. The weaker tone in the deferred futures, along with the stronger Canadian dollar, were the main factors weighing on feeder values. […] Read more
Year-over-year same-store sales climb for A+W
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canadian burger-and-root beer chain A+W’s recent moves to boost the profile of its ingredients in a crowded quick-service playing field has pushed its sales past the billion-dollar mark in 2015. The A+W Revenue Royalties Income Fund on Friday reported net income of $21.32 million on $1.061 billion in reported sales from the 814 restaurants in […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle finish mostly weak
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts closed weak on Thursday, after investors sold deferred months and bought February in anticipation of at least steady cash prices by Friday, traders said. Packers in Kansas and Texas on Thursday bid $138/cwt for market-ready, or cash, cattle, which matched last week’s sales, said […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
