Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $4 higher while calves and grass cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Once again, there was a wide range of prices across the Prairies as feedlots adjust to higher feed grain prices. Secondly, buyers were quick to discount fleshier cattle; backgrounded calves fed too much […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices gaining momentum
Klassen: Feeder market grinds lower
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $4-$6 lower; however, yearlings and heavier calves experienced a week-over-week decline of $4 to as much as $8 with significant weakness noted in the eastern Prairie regions. Finishing feedlots continue to sit on their hands. Order buyers were active on a scale-down basis and surprised […] Read more
Klassen: Fed cattle market leads feeders higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $280-$282 delivered on a dressed basis, which equates to $168-$171 on a live basis. Yearlings bought last summer are bringing back $150-$180 margin, which has reinforced buying enthusiasm. Western Canadian yearlings traded $3 to as much as $8 above week-ago levels; calves were relatively unchanged […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market remains firm into 2018
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced limited activity over the past week because most auction barns were closed for the holiday season. There was some reported activity in certain regions such as central Alberta and prices were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Frigid temperatures tempered buying activity. Feedlots in the nearby area of the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market falters
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Alberta feeder cattle prices appeared to move in line with major U.S. markets, which were also down $3-$5 from week-ago levels; however, minimal slippage was noted in eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Weakness in deferred live and feeder cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market rally stalls
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Eastern Prairie markets were softer but continue to maintain a $5 to as much as $8 premium over major feeding regions of Alberta. We’ve seen a sharp year-over-year increase in imports from the U.S., which is causing a variable price structure to develop across […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market maintains upward trend
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable this past week. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions where markets traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels; however, Alberta steer prices were relatively unchanged but heifers traded $5 to $8 higher. Available feeder supplies will tighten as we approach the end […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market loses momentum
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged while calves traded $3 lower to $3 higher. Feedlot operators pulled in the reins and realized the market may have overextended itself. Feeder cattle prices are now at levels where margins are negative in the deferred positions. Order buyers could feel the momentum subside this […] Read more
CME plans no more changes to cattle contract for now
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — CME Group plans no further moves to reduce volatility in its cattle futures market, after making a series of changes to rein in wild price swings that drove away hedgers, a managing director said on Wednesday. Over the past two years, the exchange operator, which owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and […] Read more
Klassen: Friendly beef price outlook supports feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, yearling prices were $2 to as much as $5 higher, while calf markets traded $3-$7 above week-ago levels. The yearling run is coming to a close and feedlots scrambled to secure yearling ownership. Across Alberta, feature lots of high-quality 900-lb. steers were trading around $190 and this set the tone for […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
