Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Certain reports had yearling markets trading $3 on either side of unchanged while in southern Alberta, prices were down $2-$4 on average. Calves weighing 600 to 750 lbs. were $4 lower to $4 higher and feeders under 600 lbs. were steady to $3 […] Read more
Klassen: Uncertain feed grain market weighs on feeder cattle
Feed weekly outlook: High barley prices to stay awhile
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — The price of feed barley in Western Canada, along with those of other feed grains such as corn and wheat, has jumped over the past year and shows no signs of a drop-off. Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities in Lethbridge said international demand — especially in China, Japan and India — has grown […] Read more
Klassen: Deferred live cattle futures pull feeder market higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $5 lower to $3 higher while calves under 600 lbs. were $2 to as much as $7 higher. Yearlings were somewhat sluggish in the eastern Prairie regions, as feedlot operators in Alberta focused on local cattle. Fleshier backgrounded cattle are coming on the market at this […] Read more
Klassen: Steady demand supports feeder cattle prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged while calves were steady to $2 higher on average. Auction barns received larger supplies of backgrounded cattle and there was a fair amount of direct trade of yearlings off farm. Larger supplies of heavier-weight feeders appeared to limit the upside but there was no slippage. […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Buyers’ thoughts turn to April-June
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Attention on feed grains is shifting away from February-March and focusing on the April-June period, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader at Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. Their buyers have February-March pretty much covered, she said. Demand continues to be driven by exports to China, she added, with Prairie feedlots required to keep […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle, lean hogs end lower on profit-taking
March feeder cattle also lower
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell on Wednesday in a light profit-taking setback following a four-session climb, and on spillover weakness from declines in Wall Street equity markets, traders said. However, continued strength in wholesale beef prices and expectations of higher cash cattle prices this week underpinned the market. Chicago Mercantile Exchange […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Rising beef prices buoy CME live cattle futures
Colder spell in U.S. Midwest, Plains lifts hogs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures rose on Tuesday for a fourth straight session, with deferred months setting life-of-contract highs as robust demand for beef lifted packer profit margins and bolstered demand for market-ready cattle, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange April live cattle futures settled up 0.15 cent at 123.1 cents/lb., while June […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle gain from falling feed prices
Live cattle, lean hog futures also up
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — CME Group feeder cattle futures rose on Friday, bolstered by falling corn futures. March feeder cattle gained five cents to settle at 144.15 cents, adding 9.575 cents for the week — a 7.1 per cent gain as corn fell 5.8 per cent, its biggest drop since the week ending March 20, […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Offshore demand still lifting Prairie barley
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Solid offshore demand for Canadian barley remains the key driver in the domestic feed market, keeping prices high. “It’s certainly not driven by southern Alberta, it’s driven by Vancouver and the export business,” said Allen Pirness, of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, on the continued strength in barley bids. Typically, arbitrage opportunities would […] Read more
Klassen: Higher feed grain prices continue to pressure feeders
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to mid-December, western Canadian yearlings traded $3-$5 lower; mid-weight calves are down $4-$6 while calves under 550 lbs. remained firm. Buyers exhibited a defensive tone on heavier yearlings and discounts were more severe on fleshier cattle last week. There is absolutely no risk appetite for 850-plus-lb. cattle at this time of year. Demand for […] Read more
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