Western Canadian feeder cattle prices jumped $3 to $5 per hundredweight last week. Healthy feedlot margins, along with weakness in the corn market, set a positive tone for replacement cattle. Feedlot managers are particularly interested in lightweight feeders that will be marketed in the fourth quarter. Lower beef production in the latter half of 2011
Klassen: Feeder cattle remain strong despite Japanese uncertainty
Klassen: Feeder prices consolidate
Feeder steers weighing 525 pounds brought back $160 per hundredweight last week in central Alberta as feedlot buyers continue to be aggressive with nearby purchases. Overall, the feeder market was $1 to $3 higher across Western Canada. Anticipated strength in the fed cattle market for the September through December timeframe is driving demand for lightweight
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stalling
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady with week-ago levels as the market appears to be losing upward momentum. Cattle weighing 500 to 600 pounds were averaging $168 in southern Alberta, which is marginally lower than a week earlier. Above-normal precipitation throughout the winter will result in stronger demand for grass cattle. Some of
Klassen: Feeder cattle remain firm
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to slightly higher in comparison to week-ago levels. Auction market volumes or feedlot placements appear to be increasing as fall-backgrounded calves come on the market. Steers just over 500 pounds touched the $170 per hundredweight (cwt) level in southern Alberta; 6-weight cattle were also quite firm, selling
Klassen: Feeder cattle hold value
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady with week-ago levels. Feeder steers weighing 565 pounds sold for $155 in central Alberta; 725-pound steers moved at $138 in southern Alberta. Top prices for 700- to 750-pound feeder steers were $130 to $135 per hundredweight in central Saskatchewan while the Manitoba market was slightly softer with
Klassen: Feeder cattle edge higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 to $4 per hundredweight higher on average in comparison to week-ago levels. Fed cattle edged up $1-$2/cwt, reaching $107/cwt, which provided a firm tone in the feeder complex. Early “fall backgrounded calves” started to come on the market last week and there was also a buildup of cattle
Klassen: USDA report strikes bearish tone
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were expected to start last week on a softer tone, due to the bearish U.S. Department of Agriculture cattle on feed report. However, replacement cattle traded $2 to $4 higher on average, with solid demand for all weight categories. Steer calves weighing just over 600 pounds brought back $148
Klassen: Cattle markets coming under pressure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cattle on feed report was considered bearish for the cattle complex. Feedlot inventories were five per cent higher than last year due to swelling placements in December. It now looks like beef production in the first half of 2011 will be above year-ago levels. Feeder cattle prices have been led
Klassen: Feeder cattle edge higher
The feeder cattle market for 2011 started where 2010 left off. Last week’s prices were comparable to values in late December on the first real market test for the year. In southern Alberta, lightweight steer calves under 400 pounds brought back $160 to $175 per hundredweight; 400- to 500-lb. steers sold for $140 to $155/cwt.
Klassen: Winter conditions temper feeder movement
Excessive snowfall and colder temperatures in Alberta and Saskatchewan have tempered feeder cattle movement over the past week. Therefore, we haven’t seen a major test of market activity. Lightweight calves have continued where they left off in 2010 with 300- to 400-pound animals trading in the range of $140 to $150 per hundredweight Heavier replacement