Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $2-$4 on average. The feeder cattle market was hard to define due to limited volumes; however, prices were down $2 to as much as $6 in some cases. The Aug. 9 fire at a Tyson packing plant near Holcomb, Kansas set a negative tone for […] Read more
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Klassen: Feeder cattle falter under fed cattle uncertainty
All eyes on today’s USDA supply and demand report
An updated acreage survey will shed new light on how many acres did not get planted
Precipitation has been quite variable across the Ontario cropping region throughout the month of July. Western counties received average precipitation but a large portion of the central and northern counties have received less than 40 per cent of normal precipitation. Eastern counties have received average to slightly below-average rainfall. Early yield estimates for Ontario corn […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder prices ratchet higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5 higher on average; however, there were a few feature sales quoted $8 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels. Finishing feedlots were fairly aggressive on backgrounded cattle, which was the main source of yearlings last week. Early grassers are starting to come on the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets remain firm
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were unchanged from seven days earlier. Strong buying interest was noted from finishing feedlots in Alberta. Orders flowed across the prairies keeping prices relatively even. U.S. feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $8 higher in the Northern Plains which also underpinned prices in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. There […] Read more
Tight Ontario crop supplies to keep local demand strong
Low corn stocks and fewer wheat acres with quality concerns should support local prices
Corn and soybean markets continue to digest growing conditions on both sides of the border. Ontario received 40 per cent to 60 per cent of normal precipitation from June 15 through July 14. Crop conditions have improved after a very wet spring, therefore, most producers are projecting average type yields. Our contacts in Ontario believe […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices surge
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were $3 to as much as $10 higher while calves traded $2 to $5 above week-ago levels. Most auction barns remain in holiday mode; however, order buyers were extremely busy fielding calls for available cattle. This caused the yearling market in Western Canada to divorce from the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market experiences fortuitous bounce
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$5 higher on average. Auction barns had limited numbers on offer but strong buying interest surfaced for quality packages. Alberta feedlots were the main buyers setting the price structure. There were two main factors enhancing demand this week. First, U.S. packers started to show some […] Read more
Timing of planted acreage surveys creates confusion on actual plantings
It will be another month until it is known if farmers actually planted their intended corn acres
Quick look Soybeans: Ontario soybeans will see significant competition from U.S. soybeans for the rest of this crop year. Corn: U.S. corn yield needs to drop below 155 bushels per acre in order to turn the market to bullish. Wheat: Despite the poor Ontario wheat crop, 2019 is globally expected to be the second largest […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market softens on limited volumes
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 lower on average. Many auction barns were on holidays last week. Auctions that did hold sales had limited numbers on offer. The feeder market remains under pressure due to negative feeding margins, firm feed grain values and weakness in deferred live cattle […] Read more
Weather effects could have large impact on U.S. crop levels and carryout
Fewer planted acres of corn will have an effect on other crop supplies and pricing
Ontario has received 115 per cent to 150 per cent of normal precipitation over the past 30 days; rainfall in the northern counties has been greater than 150 per cent of normal. Despite the excessive moisture, a four to five-day window during the middle of June allowed Ontario farmers to make significant planting progress. We […] Read more
