Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder markets were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels but there were a couple of unique characteristics in certain regions. Quality yearling packages were $2-$4 higher in Alberta but fleshier replacements were discounted. Eastern Prairie regions had grass cattle under 600 lbs. trading $3 to as much as $8 above week-ago levels. Order buyers […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market easily absorbs adverse weather
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie prices stable during mild winter
Reading Time: 2 minutes With the mild winter Western Canada has been experiencing, feed grain buyers expect prices should stay quiet for the next while. “I would say the buyers have adequate coverage for January, February, even a bit of March. And I would say we maybe have seen the (barley) price soften up a bit,” said Nelson Neumann, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hog futures tumble to two-month low
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures dropped as much as 3.7 per cent on Wednesday, skidding to the lowest levels in two months on pressure from chart-based selling and ample U.S. hog supplies, traders said. Hog prices on Tuesday had dipped below their closely watched 200-day moving average and on Wednesday […] Read more
Klassen: Fed cattle market lifts feeder prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4 on either side of unchanged. Early in the week, the market was rather sluggish but a fortuitous bounce in the live cattle futures quickly spilled over into the feeder complex. Yearlings and heavier calves ended the week $2 to $4 higher. Feeding margins are […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Changes slight in Prairie market
Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — Prices for feed-grade barley, corn and wheat have shifted slightly over the last week in Western Canada: wheat and barley prices have weakened, while corn prices are on the rise. Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities at Lethbridge said feed barley is currently in the mid-$250s range, per tonne. Last week, feed […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grain prices higher than last year
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Nice weather over the holidays allowed for good movement of feed grains in Western Canada, with prices steady to above year-ago levels. “I would say we cruised through Christmas and (the) New Year holidays fairly well. Not a lot of massive panic. We had nice weather which really helped, loads continued to […] Read more
Klassen: Favourable margins support feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes There were no sales last week with auction barns closed for the holiday season; therefore, we start the year looking forward at factors that will influence the feeder market over the next month. While the feeder market was quiet, feedlot operators were surprised with the U.S. fed cattle market jumping US$3-$4 from seven days earlier. […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle edge higher on technical buying, weather
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures edged higher on Friday, buoyed by technical buying and as wintry weather in the U.S. Plains hampered transportation of animals to market, traders and analysts said. Heavy snowfall, rains and falling temperatures in much of the central U.S. stressed livestock, likely slowing weight gains in […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market ends year on firm tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets traded $3-$5 higher. Auction barns in the major feeding regions of Alberta had limited numbers on offer last week; therefore, major operations were sourcing feeders from farther distances. While most feedlots are carrying sufficient numbers, year-end buying was able set the market on a firm tone. April […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market bounces off recent lows
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 higher while calf markets strengthened by $4-$8. Southern Alberta experienced winds of extreme nature over the past few weeks, which caused buyers to shy away from the market; however, with year-end right around the corner, pent-up demand stepped forward with a vengeance in […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
