Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle continued the upward trend trading $5 to $8 above week-ago levels on average with higher quality feeders as much as $12 higher. Alberta packers were buying cattle near $177 on a live basis, which is about $35 above breakeven pen closeouts. Ongoing strength in the fed cattle market set a positive […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot operators aggressively bid up feeders
U.S. livestock: Live cattle drop from one-year peak, hogs rise
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago/Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle fell on Monday in a profit-taking setback after notching one-year highs for four straight days last week, traders said. Larger-than-expected cattle placements in a monthly government report issued after the market closed on Friday added pressure to start the week, with deferred contracts posting the steepest declines. “The […] Read more
U.S. livestock: March feedlot cattle placements carve new monthly high
Reading Time: 2 minutes U.S. cattle ranchers in March placed 11.0 per cent more cattle into feedlots than a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Friday, which topped analysts’ forecast and notched a record high for the month. In March packing plants paid feedyards more money for cattle, which enhanced feedlot profits enough for them to […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures again notch 1-year highs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago/Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures climbed on Thursday to a one-year top for the third straight day, and deferred contracts marked fresh highs, helped by firmer wholesale beef values, traders said. April live cattle closed 1.700 cents per pound higher at 129.625 cents. June ended 0.525 cent higher at 116.475 cents and […] Read more
Brazil’s JBS to resume slaughtering at six idle beef units next week
Reading Time: < 1 minute São Paulo/Reuters – The world’s largest meatpacker JBS SA will next week resume slaughtering at six out of 10 beef processing units after sending workers on temporary leave earlier this month, the company said in a statement on Thursday. Another four units will restart operations on May 2 after “reforms, operating adjustments and the modernization […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures up for 9th straight session
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago/Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose on Wednesday for the ninth consecutive session, and hit a one-year high for a second day in a row, after cash prices exceeded expectations, traders said. April live cattle closed 1.150 cents per pound higher at 127.925 cents, and June up 0.300 cent at 115.950 cents. […] Read more
Klassen: Renewed confidence lifts feeder cattle market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels on average; stronger buying interest was noted on short-keep cattle with prices quoted $5 to as much as $8 higher. Feedlot operators stepped forward more aggressively with ideas that yearling supplies will dwindle over the next month. Quality cattle are starting to thin out at […] Read more
Alberta to restore non-refundable checkoff option
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta’s farmed-commodity commissions may soon be able to make their checkoffs non-refundable again if their producer members are willing. The provincial government on Tuesday tabled amendments to the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (MAPA) which would grant each of the province’s 13 agricultural commissions the ability to determine whether their checkoffs should be refundable or […] Read more
Klassen: Limited demand means mixed tone for feeders
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a mixed tone this past week. Heavier weaned calves were trading steady to as much as $4 higher compared to last week; however, shorter-term replacements were steady to $3 lower. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $170 to $172, down from week-ago levels of $177. […] Read more
Jaylor to buy U.S. TMR mixer manufacturer
Reading Time: < 1 minute Southern Ontario feed mixer manufacturer Jaylor plans to expand its total mixed ration (TMR) product lineup by buying a U.S. competitor. Jaylor, based at Orton, Ont., about 30 km north of Guelph, announced Wednesday it has bought a controlling stake in Colorado manufacturer MMI International, previously known as Mohrlang Manufacturing, for an undisclosed sum. “For […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
