Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable this past week. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions where markets traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels; however, Alberta steer prices were relatively unchanged but heifers traded $5 to $8 higher. Available feeder supplies will tighten as we approach the end […] Read more
Tag Archives cattle prices — page 10

Klassen: Feeder market maintains upward trend

Klassen: Feeder cattle market loses momentum
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged while calves traded $3 lower to $3 higher. Feedlot operators pulled in the reins and realized the market may have overextended itself. Feeder cattle prices are now at levels where margins are negative in the deferred positions. Order buyers could feel the momentum subside this […] Read more

JBS shuts seven plants in Brazil after asset freeze
Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA shut down seven slaughterhouses in Mato Grosso do Sul after a court-ordered asset freeze affected its operations in Brazil’s second largest cattle-producing state, a press representative said on Wednesday. The world’s largest meatpacking company said in an emailed statement that the plants would stay closed until […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle market surges
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced a precipitous bounce over the past week. Compared to seven days earlier, yearling traded $4-$6 higher; calf markets were trading $3 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels; prices for feather-light bawlers surged with 300- to 400-pounders touching the magical $300 level in some areas. Optimal weather enhanced […] Read more

CME plans no more changes to cattle contract for now
Chicago | Reuters — CME Group plans no further moves to reduce volatility in its cattle futures market, after making a series of changes to rein in wild price swings that drove away hedgers, a managing director said on Wednesday. Over the past two years, the exchange operator, which owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and […] Read more

Klassen: Friendly beef price outlook supports feeder market
Compared to last week, yearling prices were $2 to as much as $5 higher, while calf markets traded $3-$7 above week-ago levels. The yearling run is coming to a close and feedlots scrambled to secure yearling ownership. Across Alberta, feature lots of high-quality 900-lb. steers were trading around $190 and this set the tone for […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market holds values through volatility
Buyers kept a respectful distance from the market early in the week. Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were lackadaisical due to the bearish sentiment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle on Feed report. However, by Friday, all weight categories were trading steady with week-ago levels. Feedlot operators were bent upon ownership with an insatiable […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market experiences renewed optimism
Compared to last week, yearlings traded $3-$5 higher while calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher in some cases. Southern Alberta yearling prices were unchanged this week after trading at premium to western Canadian markets earlier in September. The U.S. Department of Agriculture came out on Tuesday and lowered its beef production […] Read more

Klassen: Strong Canadian dollar weighs on feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $3-$6 on average while calf values dropped $5 to as much as $10 in some cases. Most auction barns held feature yearling sales last week; there were small groups of calves available but the market was quite variable and hard to define in the lighter […] Read more

Klassen: Lethbridge demand drives up yearling market
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5-$8 above week-ago levels. The first major yearling sales occurred in southern Alberta, which appeared to kick-start the buying momentum. Alberta fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values were under pressure; however, feedlot operators were extremely tenacious. Buyers capriciously worked orders throughout the week and by the Friday, quality […] Read more