Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — As southern Alberta still reels from the effects of last summer’s drought, one trader expects spring seeding for feed grains to be on time. “I think it should be on schedule this year,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. Planting has already started in some places around […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Seeding on time in southern Alberta
Klassen: Adverse weather tempers feeder cattle market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. Southern Alberta experienced severe wind and dust storms last week which softened buying interest from a large portion of feedlot operators. At the same time, grass conditions are quite variable across the Prairies despite the recent precipitation. Cooler temperatures […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: U.S. corn imports getting expensive
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — As barley and wheat supplies for feed remain tight, demand for corn imports from the U.S. remains strong — but a rally in corn over the last couple of weeks is putting strain on the market, according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. “It is definitely deterring sales and/or purchases […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices soften but calves drop sharply
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices unchanged to $4 lower on average while calves were down $4 to as much as $8 in some cases. The steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$3 for yearlings and $3-$6 for calves. Adverse weather set a negative tone and the market appeared to incorporate a risk […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Market stagnant as U.S. corn imports continue
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Feed grain markets in Western Canada are holding relatively steady for the time being, as end-users are well covered with corn imports from the United States. “It seems like most buyers have managed to cover themselves well into June with corn,” said Susanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, adding that […] Read more
Klassen: Steady fed cattle market supports feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average while calves were steady to as much as $5 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $273-$275 delivered; live prices were quoted at $161 f.o.b. the feedlot. There is a severe backlog of market-ready […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Corn prices steady, growers watch weather
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Days after a work stoppage at Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) came to an abrupt end, prices for corn have been relatively stable, according to one trader. Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities Ltd. in Lethbridge said there has been little price movement for the feed grain staple recently as most feedlots are already set […] Read more
Klassen: Deferred live cattle futures underpin feeder cattle prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Major feedlot operations in Alberta continue to carry large numbers of market-ready cattle. The backlog of fed cattle appears to be worse than earlier anticipated. Yearlings were featured at auction barns in the main feeding regions of Alberta. Feedlot […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Sector bracing for logistics challenge
A CP lockout could put feeders weeks behind in supplies
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Feed grain buyers in Alberta’s feedlot alley are well covered with contracted supplies, but the logistics of getting that grain where it needs to be are facing some uncertainty with looming labour action at Canadian Pacific Railway. Buyers in feedlot alley are about 80 per cent covered right now, said Jim Beusekom of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences volatility
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 higher to as much as $5 lower depending on the region. Mid-weight calves weighing 650-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while lighter weight calves were steady to $3 higher on average. June live cattle are off $9 from their mid-February highs while the December 2022 live […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
