Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — The prospect of rain over drought-stricken southern Alberta, with Calgary and Lethbridge possibly seeing at least 30 millimetres from June 4 to 7, would seem to be a godsend for growers. However, recent history suggests the moisture may not matter in the long term, according to Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities Ltd. at […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Rains forecast for southern Alberta
Klassen: Steady demand supports feeder cattle prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures and uncertainty in the feed grain market tempered the upside for all weight categories of replacement cattle. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $288-$290 delivered, steady to $2 lower […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Feedlots shopping for new-crop barley
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — While corn imported from the U.S. was the grain of choice for Alberta feedlots for the past few months, feed barley has slowly become more in demand. Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta., explained that some feedlots were already having their cattle feed on grass as summer approaches. […] Read more
Klassen: Canadian feeder market divorces from feeder cattle futures
Timing of new-crop feed grains leads to shift
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. The quality was quite variable resulting in the wide price structure; however, decent genetic and lower flesh packages were red hot. Feedlot operators were extremely aggressive on 700- to 800-lb. steers although higher weight categories were also well bid. Auction […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Wheat far more expensive
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — The price for feed wheat is exorbitantly much higher than for barley or corn, according to Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. While price reports into that area’s feedlot alley put feed barley at $465 per tonne and corn at $480, wheat is about $600, he said. Feed wheat “is trending […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market develops two-tier price structure
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings markets traded $2-$4 higher on average; feeder cattle in the 600- to 800-pound weight category were up $3 to as much as $6 while calves under 600 lbs. traded $4-$8 higher. The Canadian dollar strengthened on Friday but the softer tone from Monday through Thursday contributed to the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle futures bounce from losses
Chicago lean hogs also rebound; August feeder cattle lower
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended higher on Monday in a rebound from recent losses, while feeder cattle futures stumbled under pressure from rising costs for grains used for livestock feed. Live cattle were technically oversold and due for a bounce, brokers said. Futures were also due to rally because […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs bounce after recent losses
June live cattle, August feeder cattle up
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rebounded on Friday after dropping a day earlier to their lowest prices since January. The market was due for a bounce following a recent slide that was driven by concerns about weakening U.S. demand and technical selling, analysts said. The most-active June hogs contract ended […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Market watching new-crop weather
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — With excessive moisture in the eastern Prairies and persistent drought in southern Alberta, uncertainty over new-crop grain production is keeping some caution in the feed market. The spot market is relatively steady as the market waits for a better picture on this year’s growing conditions. “A lot of the feedlots have all the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hogs weaken amid demand concerns
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange livestock futures fell on Thursday, as high meat prices are threatening U.S. demand, analysts said. Concerns that inflation could remain elevated for longer than anticipated weighed on the markets because higher prices could reduce meat sales, analysts said. Traders also watched a rise in prices for grain used […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
