Improved demand keeps cattle markets largely steady

Improved demand keeps cattle markets largely steady

Demand outstrips cattle supplies as the spring run comes to an end

Despite some price increases for feeder cattle, markets were largely steady to higher this week, according to Rick Wright of Heartland Order Buying Co. Any gains, he said, were helped by packing plants in Ontario and Alberta taking in more livestock. “It stimulated some (price) activity on the bigger cattle.” Another supportive factor was that the spring run

Heavyweight cattle prices pressured by lack of demand

Heavyweight cattle prices pressured by lack of demand

Plant closures are adding to the usual seasonal lull expected for this time of year

Cattle volumes at auctions across Manitoba are starting to dwindle, which is typical for this time of year. “Numbers are down everywhere,” said Rick Wright of Heartland Order Buying Co., remarking that some auctions had already switched to their summer schedule of holding auctions every two weeks. Prices for feeder cattle below 750 pounds have held steady, but


Auction activity holds up well during pandemic

Auction activity holds up well during pandemic

Cargill resuming operations at High River is seen as supportive

As Manitoba cattle auctions continued to deal with restrictions placed on them due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pipestone Livestock Sales has held up quite well, according to auctioneer Brock Taylor. “It’s been pretty good out in this area. We have a pretty good set of buyers and they let you know when they’re coming,” he said. With the pandemic, cattle

Beef-processing curbs drag on butcher cattle values

Beef-processing curbs drag on butcher cattle values

Buyers are reluctant to pick up cattle as packers slow their pace

Slaughterhouse shutdowns roiled North American cattle markets during the week ended April 24, with the bottleneck in the system likely to be felt at Manitoba auctions in weeks to come. “We got lucky this week,” said Allan Munroe of Killarney Auction Mart, which held its sale on Monday, April 20 — right before Cargill announced it


Supply chain problems weigh on cattle prices

Supply chain problems weigh on cattle prices

Locals who usually seek cattle for grazing are staying clear of auctions

Auction markets across the province are feeling the burden of COVID-19, as supply chain issues have put pressure on feeder and butcher cattle. Feeder cattle prices at Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart were steady to slightly lower during the week ended April 17, with sharper losses observed in butcher cattle prices. Weakness in butcher cattle pricing

Pandemic pricing hits Manitoba cattle values

Pandemic pricing hits Manitoba cattle values

Several auction markets’ sales will be put off due to the Easter long weekend

Prices for feeder cattle in Manitoba have taken a good hit, as have so many other commodities, during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Harold Unrau of Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart. “Prices are sliding. They’ve gone down quite a bit,” he said, but expressed some optimism. “The futures markets were up again (April 8), so if they


Broader cattle market volatility resonates at local level

Broader cattle market volatility resonates at local level

Meat supply lines are filling up again in the wake of pandemic panic buying

In addition to ongoing COVID-19 social distancing measures, a spring snowstorm also hampered some movement at Manitoba cattle auction yards during the first week of April. Prices were generally steady to higher compared to the previous week, although volatility in global markets was also being felt at a local level. “The cows are still calving,

Limits on border traffic not affecting cattle movement

Limits on border traffic not affecting cattle movement

Manitoba’s cattle sales continue, albeit with social distancing in mind

It wasn’t quite business as usual at Manitoba’s cattle auction yards during the week ended March 27, but cattle were still moving despite the extra COVID-19 pandemic precautions in place. With the Manitoba government declaring a state of emergency, the livestock sector is also practising social distancing. Sales are being held, but with only staff


Demand fluctuations put pressure on cattle prices

Demand fluctuations put pressure on cattle prices

A lower loonie could insulate local prices against declines in U.S. futures

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

Stock market losses hurting cattle prices

Stock market losses hurting cattle prices

Numbers of cattle at auctions were down from the previous week

To Robin Hill, the manager of Heartland Livestock Services’ Virden auction facility, this is far from a good time for Manitoba cattle auctions. That’s due to massive losses in stock markets, stemming from fears over effects the COVID-19 coronavirus could have on the global economy. The stock markets began to tumble as COVID-19 spread across