(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Lower beef production forecasts support feeder complex

Improving feedlot margins contributed to the stronger feeder market. Alberta packers were buying finished cattle on a dressed basis at $500/cwt delivered which was fresh record high. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $300/cwt. Feedlot breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $260-$270/cwt. Feedlots are anxious to reload and larger groups of quality packages are limited at this time of year.




Photo: Geralyn Wichers

Klassen: Feedlot operators become cautious on purchases

For the week ending May 10, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average. Quality packages of lighter calves were priced $10-$15 above week ago levels. Many auction barns are only holding sales every two or three weeks at this time of year with limited numbers on offer. This made the market hard to define in certain weight categories.





Photo: iStock

Chinese influence is alternating trade flows for wheat

Unlike the U.S., China has not imposed tariffs on developing countries in the global south, cementing its position as the trade leader for these countries

China has a strategic long term plan when it comes to the trade war. The top 20 developing countries in the world are in the global south. This includes the Middle East, North Africa, Asia Pacific and sub-Sahara Africa. Last year, China announced zero tariffs on these developing countries in the global south which cemented its position as the trade leader for these countries. You guessed it, these regions are all major wheat importers and with the Chinese influence, they are not looking at the U.S. any longer for food security.