Reading Time: 2 minutes The weaker Canadian dollar has enhanced the feeding margin structure on incoming replacement calves and this translated into stronger values on premium genetic packages. Finishing feedlot operators in Alberta and Ontario were fairly aggressive in Manitoba and Saskatchewan markets.
Klassen: Strong demand continues to sustain feeder market
Prairie forecast: Mild weather returns
Forecast issued Nov. 6, covering Nov. 6 to 13, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes The weather models are showing an area of low pressure tracking across northern Canada on Wednesday and Thursday. This, combined with a digging trough of low pressure off the West Coast, will open the door for mild air to flood across the Prairies—first from the Pacific then from the western U.S.
Klassen: Feeder market holds at higher levels
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending November 2, Western Canadian yearling and calf markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Strong demand continues to support the feeder complex at historical high prices.
Prairie forecast: Warmer weather to continue
Forecast issued Oct. 30, covering Oct. 30 to Nov. 6, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes For this forecast period, as we work into what's often the first month of winter across the Prairies, it looks like the current warmer and drier-than-average pattern of the last two months will continue. Now, to be fair, we need to realize that we are transitioning into winter. Average temperatures are cooling, so though the forecasting is calling for above-average temperatures, those temperatures are getting cooler and cooler.
Klassen: Western Canadian calf market surges
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending 26, Western Canadian calf markets were up $8-$12/cwt on average compared to seven days earlier. Pee-wee calves were up $20-$25/cwt compared to the prior week. Finishing feedlot operators were active buyers in all weight categories while backgrounders were cleaning up on smaller packages of calves under 550 pounds.
Manitoba harvest nearly done, only corn/sunflowers left
Reading Time: 2 minutes Harvest operations across Manitoba are nearly complete, with only sunflowers and corn still left to come off the fields, according to the latest provincial crop report for the week ended Oct. 22.
Prairie forecast: Mild pattern trying to hold on
Reading Time: 3 minutes This forecast starts with an area of low pressure over northern Ontario and a resulting push of cool air over the eastern half of the Prairies. Over the western half of the Prairies, a weak ridge of high pressure is moving in. This will bring sunny skies and average or above average temperatures.
Klassen: Canadian feeder markets trades premium to U.S. values
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending October 19, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $3 to $5 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher. Strength in the deferred live cattle futures along with the weaker Canadian dollar has resulted in positive margins on incoming calves. Therefore, the calf market has developed a floor price.
Prairie forecast: No snow – yet
Forecast issued Oct. 16, covering Oct. 16 to 23, 2024
Reading Time: 4 minutes As we work our way towards winter, we'll eventually have to start talking about snow... but it looks like that type of weather is at least another week away. Instead, the models show unseasonably warm weather continuing across much of the Prairies over this forecast period.
Klassen: Calf market ratchets higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending October 12, the Western Canadian prices for yearlings off grass and backgrounding operations were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. The Lethbridge market for calves was up $8-$10 from week-ago levels while calf markets in the non-major feeding regions were up a solid $4-$6 on average.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
