Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures fell on Friday as a third day of softer wholesale beef prices brought retailer demand into question, traders said. “Wholesale beef prices appear to have topped again and could head lower into the holidays, other than some late buying by retailers last minute,” said Doug Houghton, technical analyst […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures step back on demand uncertainty
Lean hogs down with pork production up
Feed weekly outlook: Export demand supports prices
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices remain strong into the winter, due to steady feedlot demand and solid export activity. Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. said feedlots have freed up some pen space after COVID-19 shutdowns created backlogs, but demand remained steady. “There’s more pen space in southern Alberta, compared to other years,” […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures gain on strong cash trade
CME lean hogs down off six-week high
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuetrs — Live cattle futures gained on Wednesday, supported by a firming cash cattle market as traders eye the consumer demand picture. Chicago Mercantile Exchange February live cattle futures added 0.75 cent to settle at 113.925 cents/lb. (all figures US$). Tighter cattle supplies could begin pushing cash markets higher, whittling away at historically […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids firm as feeders seek coverage through spring
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids held firm through November in Western Canada, with higher prices for deferred delivery as feedlots work to secure supplies in the face of solid export demand. Spot feed barley bids in the Lethbridge, Alta. area have held in the $270-$275 per tonne range through November, said Jim Beusekom of Market […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market incorporates risk discount
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged; however, calves weighing 550 to 800 lbs. traded $3-$5 lower. The market for calves under 550 lbs. traded $5 lower to $3 higher. Early in the week, prices were showing some strength in the lighter weight categories but buying enthusiasm waned from Wednesday through Friday. […] Read more
Klassen: Calf prices ratcheting higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; mid-weight calves were also unchanged while lighter calves traded steady to as much as $6 higher. Alberta and Saskatchewan have experienced adverse weather over the past couple of weeks; however, feedlots in southern Alberta appeared to be more aggressive for […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: High demand keeps bids strong
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices in Western Canada have come off of recent highs but remain “higher than what feeders like to see.” That’s according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities ar Lacombe, Alta., who said feed grains are still in a “high-demand market,” with spot prices for feed barley and wheat around $260-$265 per […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market remains under pressure
Pre-election commodity trading in 'risk-off' mode
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$5 lower on average; calves under 650 lbs. appeared to trade $3-$8 lower with significant pressure on the weight category between 550 and 650 lbs. Moderate demand surfaced on quality yearlings but major operations appeared to back away from the cattle in the heavier weight […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures jump on tightening supplies
Lower wholesale pork values drag on hogs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed higher on Thursday on expectations that tight cattle supplies and rising demand for beef will buoy cash cattle markets, analysts said. Cash cattle traded lightly in the southern Plains this week at $106/cwt, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported, even with last week (all figures US$). […] Read more
Cenovus to get Prairies’ biggest ethanol maker in Husky sale
Plants can take up to 750,000 tonnes of wheat, corn, rye per year
Reading Time: 2 minutes A proposed takeover of Husky Energy by Cenovus Energy is expected to create not only Canada’s third-biggest oil and gas producer but also a new owner for the Prairies’ biggest ethanol business. The two Calgary companies on Sunday announced a friendly all-stock deal which would see Husky shareholders get 0.7845 of a Cenovus share — […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
