Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged. Heifer and steer calves were quoted steady to $3 lower on average but the market was harder to define due to limited numbers. Small packages of calves of various quality resulted in the wide-ranging price structure. Buying interest for grassers appears to have subsided. […] Read more
Klassen: Barley price forecasts enhance feeder cattle demand
Recent rains nearly guarantee at least average yields
Klassen: Rains enhance demand for grass cattle
Deferred cattle futures showing strength
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged; steer calves under 700 lbs. were steady to $2 higher on average; heifer calves were steady to $5 higher. Southern Alberta, along with the western half of Alberta, received 30-40 mm of rain over the week which enhanced demand for […] Read more
Big corn crop expected for Ontario
Uncertainty remains on U.S. production; July weather will be key
By the end of last month, Ontario farmers had wrapped up planting operations for corn and soybeans. Crops held up fairly well through the derecho storm on May 21, which extended from Sarnia through Ottawa. Localized areas had hail and some crops experienced leaf damage from extensive wind and rain. Ontario crops received 60 to 85 […] Read more
Klassen: Negative feeding margins temper strength in feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings weighing over 800 lbs. traded steady to $2 lower on average. Feeder cattle under 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $288 delivered, down from the range of $288-$290 seven days earlier. Using a 60 […] Read more
Klassen: Steady demand supports feeder cattle prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures and uncertainty in the feed grain market tempered the upside for all weight categories of replacement cattle. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $288-$290 delivered, steady to $2 lower […] Read more
Late start to planting likely to result in average yields
Recent USDA WASDE report bullish for corn, bearish for soybeans
Statistics Canada released its March 31 stocks report on May 6. Ontario on-farm corn, soybean and wheat stocks came in below year-ago levels. According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), corn and soybean planting started the week of May 11. Our contacts in the province suggest that 80 to 85 […] Read more
Klassen: Canadian feeder market divorces from feeder cattle futures
Timing of new-crop feed grains leads to shift
Compared to last week western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. The quality was quite variable resulting in the wide price structure; however, decent genetic and lower flesh packages were red hot. Feedlot operators were extremely aggressive on 700- to 800-lb. steers although higher weight categories were also well bid. Auction […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market develops two-tier price structure
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings markets traded $2-$4 higher on average; feeder cattle in the 600- to 800-pound weight category were up $3 to as much as $6 while calves under 600 lbs. traded $4-$8 higher. The Canadian dollar strengthened on Friday but the softer tone from Monday through Thursday contributed to the […] Read more
Slow U.S. economic growth could depreciate Canadian dollar
Grain prices remain high, but a recession could change that
According to Statistics Canada, Ontario farmers will increase corn acres by eight per cent compared to last year and Ontario soybean acres will see a year-over-year increase of three per cent. Last fall, Ontario farmers decreased winter wheat acres by 13 per cent from the previous year, which made room for the year-over-year increase in […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market starts seasonal rally
Ontario demand leads charge higher in Manitoba
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 to as much as $6 higher on average. Calf markets were sharply higher. Auction barns in Manitoba reported calf prices up $8-$10 on average with certain pockets up as much $15. Calf markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan were up a solid $5-$8 from week-ago levels. […] Read more
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