Local cattle prices track wild week in U.S. futures

Local cattle prices track wild week in U.S. futures

Sales volumes are expected to slow with the season

Large price swings in the U.S. cattle futures led to similar activity in the Manitoba cattle auctions during the week ended May 5. U.S. cattle prices rallied sharply the first few days of May, with unseasonal snow that killed thousands of cattle in key U.S. feeding regions behind some of the buying interest. The resulting

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle markets erupt

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10-$13 above week-ago levels and in some cases as high as $20. Buying interest exploded early in the week as adverse weather wreaked havoc across the U.S. southern Plains. Demand for replacements continued to intensify as the fed cattle prices surged. Alberta packers experienced strong competition from buyers south


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Strong demand underpins feeder market

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 above week-ago levels; however, weaned lower-flesh calves were $3 to as much as $6 higher. Southern Alberta calf sales are winding down while other regions are just getting started. This resulted in surreptitious behaviour from Lethbridge-area feedlot operators. Orders stretched across the Prairies, like a slow-moving