A sharp drop in wholesale beef prices, along with softer fed cattle values, caused the feeder market to finally run into some resistance last week. Adverse weather also tempered buying enthusiasm for lighter-weight cattle, with dreadful temperatures reported across most of Western Canada. The feeder market is indeed functioning to encourage production and ration demand,
Klassen: Feeder market stalls at higher levels
Klassen: Fed cattle prices continue to support feeder market
Strength in fed cattle prices in Alberta reached up to an astonishing $148.50 per hundredweight (cwt) last week, which spilt over into the feeder complex. Larger volumes of heavier feeder cattle are coming on the market, with backgrounding operations liquidating fall-placed calves, but this did little to stem the upward momentum. Overall, feeder cattle were
Klassen: Upward momentum supports feeder cattle market
Newton’s first law of motion continues to describe the cattle market, as an object in motion tends to stay in motion until acted upon by another force. Last year is a distant memory for most cattle producers as ownership becomes a key feature and no eye blinks at paying $196 per hundredweight (cwt) for non-feature
Klassen: Feeder cattle continue to climb
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $5 to $8 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average, compared to seven days earlier, and are a solid $15/cwt higher relative to average values in December. Most auction barns are now back to regular sales after the holiday season and larger volumes allowed buyers to fully define the market
Klassen: Feeders follow fed cattle higher
Fed cattle in Alberta jumped $4 per hundredweight last week, reaching $134/cwt, which is near record highs. The weaker Canadian dollar, along with historically strong wholesale beef prices, set a positive tone for the overall live cattle complex. It appears most pen closeouts are showing profits over $100/head, which something the industry has not experienced
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump early in 2014
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices are expected to jump $4 to $8 per hundredweight (cwt) over the next couple of weeks as stronger slaughter prices and lower feed grains continue to drive the market higher. While most auction markets were closed over the holiday season, feedlot operators are looking south for market direction on replacement
Klassen: Feeder cattle buyers eyeing risks in new year
This past year was another volatile 52-week period for the feeder cattle complex. Looking back at market reviews, I believe the lowest market sentiment was in late April when Charolais-cross steers were trading at $128 per hundredweight (cwt) in Lethbridge while barley was touching the $300 per tonne level. This past week, similar cattle were
Klassen: Larger supplies stem upside in feeder market
Most of Western Canada experienced harsh winter conditions earlier in December, causing many auction barns to post pone sales by one or two weeks. Cattle buyers have now found larger volumes of lighter-weight calves coming on the market, which tempered the upside in the feeder cattle complex. Western Canadian calves were a solid $3 to
Klassen: Year-end buying underpins feeder market
Western Canadian feeder cattle values were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week as year-end pent-up demand stepped forward more aggressively. While winter conditions tempered buying enthusiasm from major feedlot operators, there appeared to be more interest from the small farmer/feedlot operator that will place cattle in the custom lot. Demand from backgrounding
Klassen: Winter weather provides chills on feeder market
Extremely cold temperatures along with adverse feedlot conditions caused feeder cattle prices to trade steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower on average last week across Western Canada. This first blast of winter came as a shock to many feedyards, resulting in limited buying interest for fresh calves. The market was fairly choppy throughout the