(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Western Canadian calf market surges

For the week ending 26, Western Canadian calf markets were up $8-$12/cwt on average compared to seven days earlier. Pee-wee calves were up $20-$25/cwt compared to the prior week. Finishing feedlot operators were active buyers in all weight categories while backgrounders were cleaning up on smaller packages of calves under 550 pounds. 

December a crucial window for soybean, corn sales

December a crucial window for soybean, corn sales

Crop prices in Ontario are currently making seasonal lows as they do during harvest

December is a prime opportunity for Ontario farmers to sell soybeans because U.S. farmer selling slows and the South American harvest hasn’t started. Ontario basis levels are strengthening during December, while the soybean futures are making seasonal highs.


Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Canadian feeder markets trades premium to U.S. values

For the week ending October 19, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $3 to $5 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher.  Strength in the deferred live cattle futures along with the weaker Canadian dollar has resulted in positive margins on incoming calves. Therefore, the calf market has developed a floor price.

Photo: Thinkstock

Klassen: Calf market ratchets higher

For the week ending October 12, the Western Canadian prices for yearlings off grass and backgrounding operations were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. The Lethbridge market for calves was up $8-$10 from week-ago levels while calf markets in the non-major feeding regions were up a solid $4-$6 on average.

Ending stocks for wheat lower for major exporting countries

Ending stocks for wheat lower for major exporting countries

Russian offers could evaporate if drier conditions continue over winter; Ukraine could impose export restrictions

The world cannot afford a crop problem next spring and summer. If there are drier conditions in the U.S., the corn market will incorporate a significant risk premium. This is our second reason to hold crop into the latter half of the crop year.


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder markets experience stronger demand

For the week ending October 5, Western Canadian prices for grass yearlings were steady to as much as $10 higher while values for backgrounded yearlings were relatively unchanged. Calf markets were quite variable with preconditioned 650-800 pound calves trading $4-$8 above week-ago levels. Prices for  non-weaned bawlers were relatively unchanged.

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Western Canadian calf markets percolate higher

Strength in the deferred live cattle futures has spilt over into the feeder complex. Alberta and Saskatchewan placements in the lighter weight categories are down from year-ago levels which is resulting in stronger Alberta fed cattle basis levels for next spring.  These are the main factors influencing the calf markets in Western Canada.  




A soybean harvest.

Record soybean crop expected for Ontario

Ontario farmers are expected to harvest 4.3 million tonnes of soybeans this fall, according to latest StatsCan survey

According to Statistics Canada, Ontario farmers are expected to harvest 4.3 million tonnes of soybeans this fall. This compares to last year's crop size of four million tonnes and the five-year average of 3.9 million tonnes. StatCan made an upward adjustment to the planted area, while yield was estimated at 51.1 bu./ac., the third highest on record.