Prices at Manitoba’s cattle auctions were slightly lower during the week ended March 20, driven largely by fluctuations in demand. Tara Fulton, manager of Gladstone Livestock Auction Mart, noted prices for heavier cattle over 750 lbs. have been under pressure for the past three weeks. “Demand for lighter-weight animals has been strong all along, because
Demand fluctuations put pressure on cattle prices
A lower loonie could insulate local prices against declines in U.S. futures
Crude oil war, COVID-19 fears drag commodity markets lower
Uncertainty has sidelined many participants in the canola market
Canada’s grain markets haven’t been immune to the growing panic surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on global economies. At the start of Monday’s trade, crude oil futures plummeted by over 30 per cent following a dissolved agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Live cattle futures drag on local prices
Time is the insulator for prices in lighter-weight cattle, for now
Plummeting live cattle futures put pressure on local heavyweight cattle prices at Manitoba’s cattle auctions during the week ended March 6. Allan Munroe of Killarney Auction Mart noted “a large price slide” between 600- and 800-lb. cattle, as prices for lighter cattle remain strong. Last week, 700- to 800-lb. feeder cattle were priced between $180
Jury still out on blockades’ impacts on grain traffic
Reduced farmer selling has somewhat insulated prices so far
Canadian news headlines have been dominated in recent weeks by reports of ongoing rail blockades and demonstrations in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en nation — but the jury is out as to how the protests will impact Canada’s grain markets. A daily report from Canada’s Ag Transport Coalition detailed the impact that blockades are having on
Manitoba buyers show steady demand for lighter cattle
China’s coronavirus epidemic hasn’t yet landed on local cattle prices
Mid-weight feeder cattle prices were steady from last week, according to Robin Hill, Heartland Livestock Auctions’ manager at Virden. At last week’s sale, prices for 700- to 800-lb. feeder cattle were between $180 and $197 per hundredweight. Prices for 600- to 700-lb. feeders were between $196 and $221/cwt as well. Prices during this week’s sale
Canola drops as coronavirus outbreak rattles commodities
A lower loonie makes Canadian crops relatively attractive overseas
Canola values incurred sharp losses during the week ended Jan. 31, steadying only slightly at mid-week thanks to support from the Canadian dollar. Headlines have been dominated by the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. As of Jan. 31, nearly 10,000 cases have been reported, and over 150 lives lost. Financial and
Cattle auctions’ prices steady, volumes strong
Manitoba’s cattle are about equally eastbound and westbound
Despite cold weather and icy highways, cattle markets across Manitoba were in full swing during the week ended Jan. 17. Tyler Slawinski, Gladstone Auction Mart’s auctioneer, said about 600 head showed up to the first auction of the year. “That’s about twice as many as I had expected,” he said. “That’s a good sign for
Crush margins, currency, charts show support for canola futures
South American soybean production could bring pressure
Canola values were well supported during the first full trading week of 2020 and have the potential to rally $10-$15 higher. Technical charts have projected canola values reaching $490-$495 per tonne. Some growers have throttled back on selling their product to wait and see if this price range will be realized. Barring sharp sell-offs in
Cattle volumes down from fall run highs
Ontario feedlots have backed off the Manitoba market
Cattle volumes at auctions across the province have come off of fall run highs, providing some support to feeder cattle prices. “We’re through the bulk of fall run numbers, so prices have tightened up,” said Brian Perillat of Canfax in Calgary. “It’s a balancing act, but for the most part, undertones in the market have
Trade stalemate leaves markets unmoving
Lack of rain in South America could eventually shake things up
Canola values will likely remain range-bound between $455 and $467 for the remainder of the year. That’s largely due to the stalemate between the United States and China regarding a trade deal, and also due to uncertain growing conditions in South America and Australia. On Nov. 27, U.S. President Donald Trump signed congressional legislation in support
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