Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged but a softer tone was noted in the non-major feeding regions. Most auction barns are in summer mode and the quality of feeders coming on the market is quite variable. However, at major centers in Alberta, healthy strings of yearlings were well bid […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed cattle prices weigh on feeder market
Rain-soaked pens sidelined some Alberta feedlots
Feed weekly outlook: Barley prices close to ceiling
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Feed barley prices, which climbed during May, have very likely risen as far as they can go, said Nelson Neumann, senior trader with Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “We’re at the point where corn can be a cheaper alternative. There’s a ceiling on the market and we’re pretty much at that ceiling,” Neumann […] Read more
Klassen: Canadian feeder market divorces from U.S. values
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Lower volumes were on offer across the Prairies and the quality was quite variable at smaller sales. Many auction barns are in summer mode; however, there were decent volumes in the major feeding regions of Alberta. Strong feedlot demand was evident on quality […] Read more
Alberta deregulates fusarium
Crop disease comes off province's 'zero tolerance' list
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta is moving to keep fusarium in check by means other than the “zero tolerance” policy it has in effect on agricultural pests such as rats, rabies and clubroot. Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen announced a ministerial order Wednesday to remove Fusarium graminearum from the list of pests covered by the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation, […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market recovery continues
Strength in fed cattle prices the main driver
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $6-$8 higher on average while calves were unchanged to $4 higher. Strength in fed cattle prices was the main factor driving the feeder cattle market this week. Alberta direct fed cattle sales were reported on a live basis from $150 to $153 f.o.b. the feedlot, up […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Cheaper corn to temper rising barley bids
Lack of farmer selling a factor in bids
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Rising feed barley prices in Western Canada may be nearing their upper limit, as end users look to add more cheaper corn to their rations. “The higher that barley and wheat get, the more attractive corn gets,” said Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities in Lethbridge. “If barley and wheat go any higher, we’ll […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets reflect mixed tone
U.S. corn offered into southern Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to the previous week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average while calves traded unchanged to as much as $8 lower. Larger feedlot operations were actively bidding for 800-plus-lb. feeders across the Prairies due to the limited supply. Lower volumes were available this past week which was supportive for the market. Southern […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley prices strong
Jury still out on impact of China-Australia trade spat
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices across the Prairies have been stronger during the week ended Thursday, buoyed by rainy conditions in southern Alberta coupled with steady demand. “To fill the gaps, prices have had to go up,” said Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. Prices for feed barley went up by about $5 […] Read more
JBS resumes second shift at Alberta beef plant
Out of 650 COVID cases at plant, 11 are 'active'
Reading Time: 2 minutes Meat giant JBS’s Alberta beef packing plant has resumed two daily shifts as of Thursday, as fewer than a dozen of its 2,600-plus employees are now sidelined by COVID-19. The JBS plant at Brooks, about 170 km east of Calgary, is “slowly returning to two shifts as of today,” the company said Thursday in a […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market jumps on renewed optimism
Weekly slaughter pace improving
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle over 800 lbs. traded $8-$10 higher while lighter weight categories were up $4 to as much as $12 in some cases. Feeder cattle under 800 lbs. were very well bid across the Prairies; feeder cattle under 700 lbs. are now trading at prices similar to late February, […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
