Average prices for steer and heifer calves jumped $8-$10 this past week with some buyers reporting values as much as $15 above week-ago levels. Feedlot operators could feel it in their bones earlier in November and there were no strings attached on orders flowing across the Prairies. Favourable weather reinforced the narrow premium of weaned […] Read more
Tag Archives cattle prices
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump on positive outlook
Klassen: Strong demand underpins feeder market
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 above week-ago levels; however, weaned lower-flesh calves were $3 to as much as $6 higher. Southern Alberta calf sales are winding down while other regions are just getting started. This resulted in surreptitious behaviour from Lethbridge-area feedlot operators. Orders stretched across the Prairies, like a slow-moving […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets establish fundamental equilibrium
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels as most auction barns held featured or pre-sort calf sales. However, premiums of $3 to as much as $8 were noted on pre-conditioned, quality-weaned replacements. Time in the market is more important than timing the market; longer term risk adverse feeding reinforced the fact […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market bounces off the lows
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced a week-over-week gain of $5 to $8. Strength in live cattle futures, along with the weaker Canadian dollar, rejuvenated buying interest amongst feedlot operators across the Prairies. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $222 to $227 on a dressed basis, which was also up $2 […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market lacks buying interest
In a market profile, trader Peter Steidlmayer clarified that markets go up because there is no selling and markets go down because there is no buying. Western Canadian feeder markets were a perfect example of this market theory, as prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $10-$15. Feedlot operators once again sat on their hands with […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market aggressively searches for demand
A boulder falling off a mountain accelerates and gains momentum as it nears the ground. Until we see another force come into play, there’s no signal the lows are near in the feeder complex. Once again, the western Canadian feeder cattle traded $8 to $10 below week-ago levels, with sharper declines noted on unweaned calves. […] Read more
USDA requires meat packers to report online cattle auction deals
Chicago | Reuters –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday it will require meat packers to report cattle purchases they make through online auctions to the agency starting next week, a move that stoked traders’ hopes for more transparent markets. USDA will begin including transactions from auctions on the Fed Cattle Exchange in pricing […] Read more
Western Feedlots closure seen hurting prices
Winnipeg | Reuters — The closure of one of Canada’s biggest cattle feedlots is likely to depress prices of young cattle and the grains used to fatten them, and may increase sales to the U.S., industry officials say. Alberta-based Western Feedlots said Wednesday it will shut feeding operations early in 2017, citing poor market conditions […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market drops on fed cattle weakness
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $128-$130 this past week — the lowest levels since December 2013 and down nearly $18 from a month ago. Weekly beef production continues to defy expectations, bludgeoning feeding margins across the Prairies. Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quick to respond, trading $8-$10 below week-ago […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market softens
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, goes the old proverb, and there is no greater example than in the cattle complex. Placid feedlot operators watched in dismay as fed cattle sold in the range of $133-$135 this past week, down approximately $6 from week-ago levels and $10 below breakeven pen closeout values. The stomach-churning fed […] Read more
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