Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings weighing over 800 lbs. traded steady to $2 lower on average. Feeder cattle under 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $288 delivered, down from the range of $288-$290 seven days earlier. Using a 60 […] Read more
Klassen: Negative feeding margins temper strength in feeder market
Feed weekly outlook: Rains forecast for southern Alberta
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
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
U.S. livestock: August live cattle, feeders ease on USDA report
Chicago lean hog futures firm
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were mixed on Friday, with the nearby contract firming while the most-active month eased, pressured by expectations of increased cattle placements in the U.S. Agriculture Department’s monthly assessment. U.S. feedlots held two per cent more cattle on May 1 versus the same time a year […] 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
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle firm on strong packer demand
Export demand concerns drag on hogs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — CME live cattle futures firmed on Monday, supported by strong packer demand that supported cash prices, indicating a bullish outlook for summer month futures, analysts said. “Packer behaviour has been bullish for several weeks now. They are going after the cattle,” said Dennis Smith, commodity broker at Archer Financial. “I suspect […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Corn trading higher than barley
Seeding begins in Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Imported corn from the U.S. is still the grain of choice for feedlots in southern Alberta, despite the fact feed barley is at a slightly lower price right now. Corn traded on Wednesday at around $480 per tonne ($12.19 per bushel) in Lethbridge, said Jim Beusekom, president of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot demand up prior to seasonal rally
Market for calves 'boiling hot' in Manitoba
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending April 30, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Yearlings traded $8 lower as much as $5 higher. Severe discounts were noted on fleshier cattle; some auction barns reported the bulk of cattle over 800 pounds were medium to heavier flesh. Deferred live cattle futures were under pressure but the […] Read more
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