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.
Klassen: Western Canadian calf market surges
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder market demand remains firm
Ontario buying interest was evident in Manitoba yearling markets. U.S. buyers were more interested in lighter calves and were shopping for pre-conditioned groups of sizeable volume. Certain finishing operators in Alberta were more aggressive on grass yearlings after waiting for lower prices earlier in the season.
Klassen: Discounts start to appear in the feeder market
For the week ending September 14, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. However, yearling quality has become quite variable resulting in a diverse price structure.
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.