(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices climbing

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were trading $5-$7 above week-ago levels, with higher-quality cattle trading as much as $10 higher. It’s difficult to quarrel with one’s bread and butter; feedlot margins are now in positive territory and cattle feeders are keen on ownership with the positive outlook into the March timeframe. Feature presort calf sales












(Regis Lefebure photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: Ample supplies drop hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures on Tuesday fell for a third consecutive session, dragged down by weaker cash and wholesale pork prices amid abundant seasonal supplies, said traders. December closed down 0.775 cent/lb. to 46.125 cents, and February ended 0.7 cent/lb. lower at 52.9 cents (all figures US$). “There are