Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. livestock futures weakened on Wednesday under pressure from large numbers of cattle and hogs and uncertainty over demand, traders said. Declines in the markets reflected expectations that meat supplies will remain plentiful, after farmers expanded their herds. Beef production in the third quarter of 2019 is expected to top seven […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures sag under pressure from big supplies
JBS predicts profits will be stronger this year
Reading Time: 2 minutes Sao Paulo | Reuters — JBS SA executives said Friday the Brazilian meat company will deliver higher earnings in 2019 on strong demand for beef in the U.S. and Australia as well as growing Chinese demand for various proteins. Still, first-quarter results will reflect lower cattle availability in the U.S. due to rains and a […] Read more
Taking the bull by the horns
Western Canada’s beef producers have taken control of their industry, achieving a level of stability that seemed gone forever. Here’s part of that story
Reading Time: 8 minutes Statistically, at least, it seems the long, sharp decline in Western Canada’s cattle business has stabilized. To say it’s closing the book on one of the most momentous stories in the entire history of Canadian agriculture (or for that matter, of agriculture anywhere in the world) is perhaps going too far. But it’s been an […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market experiences softer demand
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle sold $4-$6 lower on average. Feedlot operators backed away from the markets due to stronger feed grain prices and weakness south of the border. Certain regions of the U.S. Midwest and southern Plains have experienced adverse weather, which caused U.S. feeder cattle prices to experience a week-over-week […] Read more
Klassen: Strong demand drives yearlings higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 higher, with quality packages advancing $4-$6. Feedlot operators shrugged off the weaker live cattle futures as feed grain prices came under pressure. Cattle brokers were carrying a full deck of orders, which allowed for limited slippage. Feedlots are anxious to secure ownership early in the […] Read more
Klassen: Rising feed grain prices weigh on feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels; however, feeder cattle fit for grass and calves dropped $4 to as much as $10 from seven days earlier. Rising feed grain costs appear to be affecting lighter weight categories more than the yearling market. Feedlots will be struggling with negative margins through the summer […] Read more
McDonald’s sets greenhouse gas reduction targets
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — McDonald’s Corp. on Tuesday announced what it describes as an approved, science-based target to cut greenhouse gas emissions and battle climate change, saying it is the first restaurant company to do so. Under a plan several years in the making, the fast-food company — along with its franchisees and suppliers — aims to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market sends mixed signals
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian average yearling prices were steady to $3 lower while heavier replacements above 1,000 lbs. actively traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures, along with rising feed grain prices, caused buyers to lower their bids accordingly. Steers averaging 1,000 lbs. were readily trading […] Read more
Klassen: Winter weather weighs on feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. However, quality features played a larger role in the price structure. Buyers shied away on fleshier yearlings which is often the case when margins move into negative territory. It’s that time of year when thicker coats can be somewhat misleading and buyers pulled […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market holds values through volatility
Reading Time: 2 minutes Buyers kept a respectful distance from the market early in the week. Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were lackadaisical due to the bearish sentiment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle on Feed report. However, by Friday, all weight categories were trading steady with week-ago levels. Feedlot operators were bent upon ownership with an insatiable […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
