Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower last week. Negative feeding margins appear to be the largest factor weighing on the feeder market. Optimism for fed cattle prices for the April-through-June period has also waned, with live cattle futures $7 to $8 off contract highs. There is potential for
Klassen: Poor feeding margins weigh on feeder cattle
Klassen: Demand for grass cattle supports feeder complex
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady with values earlier in January as buying interest for grass cattle started to surface last week. Pasture conditions are expected to be favourable come spring, and demand from the smaller farmer-cattle producer supported prices for lighter weight cattle. The market for heavier replacement cattle felt sluggish, with
Klassen on feeder cattle: The larger picture
I usually discuss weekly market activity regarding the feeder cattle market but cow-calf producers should sometimes take a step back and look at the macro environment for a longer-term perspective. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cattle inventory report showed the 2012 calf crop down three per cent from 2011. Beef cows that have calved as
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices feel soft
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady for yearlings, while lighter-weight cattle appeared to be slightly softer this week. Fed cattle were under pressure due to weaker wholesale beef prices. Retail movement for higher-end cuts appears to have slowed in January while movement for ground beef and lower-quality steaks has actually improved. Feedlot margins are
Klassen: U.S. feeder cattle market leads Canada lower
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to as much as $4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower by the end of the week as the U.S. market came under severe pressure. Stronger corn values, and the announced closing of the Cargill beef slaughter plant at Plainview, Texas set a negative tone across North American feeder cattle
Klassen: Grain strength limits feeder cattle upside
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week but firm feedgrain values tempered the upside potential. Local auction market volumes were rather light in post-holiday mode. The U.S. market continued to show further strength, trading $3-$5/cwt higher on average in the Midwest. Heavier replacement cattle were leading the
Klassen: Feeder cattle ratcheting higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average last week on seasonally light volumes and many auction barns in holiday mode. The market will likely be more established this week and there appears to be upside momentum in the short term. Barley prices have been holding value but
Klassen: Feeder cattle end year on strong tone
Feeder cattle weighing over 700 pounds were a solid $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week; calf prices were steady but also advanced by $2/cwt in certain regions of Western Canada. Fed cattle prices remained firm in the range of $118-$120.50/cwt in Alberta. The cattle complex appears to have upward momentum moving into the New
Klassen: Fed cattle lead feeder market higher
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $119 to $120 per hundredweight (cwt) last week, which caused feeder cattle to advance by $2-$3/cwt on average across Western Canada. Feeding margins are now hovering near break-even and it appears feedlot managers have more optimism for the spring period. Auction market volumes were noticeably
Klassen: Yearling prices advance while calves hold value
Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week while calf prices were mixed. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $118 to $119.25, up $2 from seven days earlier which spilled over into the heavier classes of feeder cattle. Feedlot margins are now hovering near break-even