With just three auctions open, fewer than 640 head of cattle were sold at Brandon, Virden and Grunthal for the week ended Jan. 7. “There wasn’t enough to really quote accurate market (prices),” said Keith Cleaver, manager of Heartland Livestock Services’ Brandon auction. “The first week is pretty slow always,” he added, noting cattle numbers
Only a trio of cattle auctions to start 2021
A stronger loonie is making Manitoba cattle less attractive for export
Canola futures rise above the $600 mark
Chicago soybeans recently climbed above the US$12-per-bushel level
Canola futures on ICE Futures rose over $600 during the week ended Dec. 17, but are expected to pull back slightly as market participants enter “holiday mode” in the coming days. Canola prices started the week at $596.30 per tonne, with the January contract gaining $2.70 per tonne on the day. By mid-week, canola closed
Continued warm spell heats up cattle sales
A stronger loonie has warded off potential cross-border buyers
Unseasonably warm temperatures across Manitoba have kept activity high at cattle auctions this winter. “It’s been an exceptional run here at Gladstone,” said Tyler Slawinski, Gladstone Auction Mart’s auctioneer. “We traded a lot of cattle, prices were good, and I hope we continue to see that into 2021.” This week, feeder steers between 600 and
Canola futures pressured following month of gains
Canola contracts on ICE Futures were due for a pullback during the week ended Nov. 26, after gaining about $50 throughout the month. Canola prices started the week at $584.10 per tonne, with the January contract gaining over $7 per tonne. After making significant gains during November, market participants expected canola to pull back and
Cattle values expected to drop in coming weeks
The chance of COVID-19 hitting packers again has cattle markets on edge
Feeder cattle prices at Manitoba’s cattle auctions have been steadily rising, though the rally isn’t expected to last for much longer. “With futures dropping and grain prices going up, I expect (prices) will stay steady or drop a bit next week,” Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart manager Harold Unrau said. Feed grain prices in Western Canada have been
Canola gets bounce off soybeans’ gains
Uncertainty also continues over U.S. soybean acreage
ICE Futures canola made significant gains during the week ended Nov. 5, after starting the week in the red. Canola prices started the week at $534.90 per tonne, with the January contract losing over $7 per tonne. However, unseasonably balmy weather and support from comparable vegetable oils gave prices a much-needed boost throughout the week, and the January
Fall run continues to pressure cattle prices
Demand is expected to be high for bred cattle coming soon to market
The fall run is in full swing at Manitoba’s cattle auctions, and prices are coming under pressure typical for this time of year. “Feeder cattle are under pressure,” said Harold Unrau, manager at Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart. He cited high grain prices and dropping U.S. cattle futures as possible reasons for the depressed prices, along
Canola values rangebound following recent gains
U.S. soybean futures have recently tested contract highs
ICE canola futures have steadied, following considerable gains since mid-August, and remained largely rangebound during the week ended Thursday, Oct. 15. Canola prices started the week at $525.30 per tonne, with the November contract losing $2 per tonne on Tuesday. Trade activity was choppy for the rest of the week, and the November contract closed
Fall run begins at Manitoba cattle auctions
The annual rush is nicely underway and expected to last through the month of October
Cattle prices in Manitoba remained strong throughout the month of September, and prices have firmed up as the fall run begins. “We’re going to see volume get fairly big after Thanksgiving,” remarked Robin Hill of Virden’s Heartland Livestock Auction on Oct. 9. “Volumes at every auction mart are going to increase drastically.” Last week, auctions across Manitoba saw
Lower cattle supplies supportive for prices
Pastures remain in good condition, pre-empting the fall run
Prices have been strong for butcher and feeder cattle, supported mainly by low numbers of cattle heading to auction in Manitoba. The expected fall run has been delayed by unseasonably warm temperatures across most of Manitoba, as pastures have remained in good condition. “Because we’ve had good fall weather, that’s kept cattle out on pasture
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