Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; however, calves weighing 500 to 700 lbs. were $2-$4 lower. Featherlight bawlers under 500 lbs. were down $6-$8 from seven days earlier. Strong feedlot buying interest supported quality groups of yearlings. Feed barley prices were down $5-$10 per tonne from last week while the […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices consolidate, calf values soften
Feed weekly outlook: New-crop prices to rise
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Well covered with grain for now, feedlots are beginning to set their sights on the new crop. Drought conditions on the Prairies and the U.S. northern Plains are causing new-crop feed wheat and feed barley prices to go up, according to a Saskatchewan-based trader. “Demand for old crop (is) dwindling and the focus […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Rains, demand keep bids down
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — While recent wet weather on the Prairies has helped bring down prices for feed grains, demand — or a lack thereof — has been another primary factor. “The rains have definitely affected (prices) a bit, but probably not to the extent demand has,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity at Stony Plain, […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Rising costs cut into cattle profits
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Strong demand for beef has kept fed cattle prices in Western Canada well supported, but high feed grain prices continue to cut into profits in the feeder sector, according to CanFax analyst Brian Perillat. Fed cattle prices have rallied for most of 2021, he said, “so feedlots, after losing money for two to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market remains firm
Canada's feeder exports down off year-ago levels
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 higher on average. Strength was noted in the mid-weight categories as lighter calves and yearlings (900 pounds-plus) were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots were dominant buyers, with little demand surfacing for grassers. Feeding margins are in positive territory and recent rains have enhance […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Lean hogs ease on profit-taking
Cash prices, corn values drag on cattle futures
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures settled mostly lower on Wednesday, as investors took profits after some nearby contracts scaled the highest levels in years during the session on strong cash hog and pork prices. Cash hog prices remained firm while pork values hovered near the highest in almost seven years, […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Saskatchewan barley price spikes, drops
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — It was a tale of two weeks for Saskatchewan feed barley prices. The high-delivered bid for the crop on May 11 bolted from $6 per bushel to $6.75 in one day, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. Saskatchewan’s price spike put the bid only 80 cents behind Alberta’s. However, on May 19, while […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Falling futures suggest first cracks in lofty market
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — A sharp drop in corn and wheat futures prices at the Chicago Board of Trade over the past week could be the sign of the first cracks in the western Canadian feed grain market. That said, tight supplies and uncertainty over new-crop grain production remain supportive. “With the move on the futures market […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger fed cattle prices underpin feeder complex
Limited feed and forage hinder further upside
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $265-$270 delivered this past week, up $3-$5 from seven days earlier. Live prices were quoted at $159-$162 delivered using a 60 per cent grading. If the feedlot operator booked their feed grains earlier in winter, live prices are $2-$3 above breakeven […] Read more
Canada left with very tight canola, barley stocks
'You can't find canola anywhere in the country'
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Statistics Canada’s grain stocks report leaves no question that canola stocks have been tight for some time in Canada and will continue to be unless demand is slashed, according to independent trader Jerry Klassen in Winnipeg. “You can’t find canola anywhere in the country and the stocks that are out there, a lot […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
