CBOT January 2021 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans slip off peak, end mostly firm

Corn, wheat dip; strong demand, tight supply limit losses

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures ended mostly firmer on Thursday as late-session buying amid worries over tightening supplies offset earlier profit-taking and technical selling that had dragged prices down from four-year peaks. Corn and wheat retreated after prior-day increases as investors pocketed some gains. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) January soybean futures ended […] Read more

CME February 2021 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures tumble on demand worries

Corn values also weigh on feeder cattle, hogs

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle and hog futures tumbled on Thursday on worries about demand for beef and pork as soaring coronavirus infections across the country threatened more restaurant and food service closures and forced more Americans to shelter at home. Investors also fear a repeat of the livestock processing disruptions seen in the […] Read more

(File photo)

Feed weekly outlook: High demand keeps bids strong

MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices in Western Canada have come off of recent highs but remain “higher than what feeders like to see.” That’s according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities ar Lacombe, Alta., who said feed grains are still in a “high-demand market,” with spot prices for feed barley and wheat around $260-$265 per […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Feedlots booking for winter underpin bids

MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices have been strong following Western Canada’s harvest, as feedlots ensure they’re covered heading into the winter. “Last week there was some buying in the deferred months, from January onward,” Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. said. Pirness said the strong prices were unexpected, noting that when prices […] Read more


(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Demand keeps Canadian barley well supported

MarketsFarm — Solid demand continues to keep feed barley bids in Western Canada well supported, as end-users work to secure supplies in anticipation of tightening stocks going forward. “Competition for barley is coming from every which direction: grain companies exporting barley, feedlots trying to cover barley, and grain companies trying to cover feedlots,” said Jim […] Read more

CME January 2021 feeder cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market digests rising COVID-19 cases

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded steady to $2 lower on average. The grain harvest is in its final stages and buying interest was noted from the farmer/backgrounding operator. The buying frenzy over yearlings has eased and finishing feedlots were active on all weight categories. Feather-light calves […] Read more

CME December 2020 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Domestic demand boosts hog futures

Feed grain prices drag on feeder cattle

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures leapt to their highest price since May 2019 on Friday on strong domestic demand for pork, while feeder cattle futures tumbled to a three-month low. Gains in the swine market extend a rally driven by rising cash prices for hogs and demand from consumers. “Domestic demand has been […] Read more


(File photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Demand from China lifts prices

MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat have shot up over the last month, including a 76 cent per bushel jump for barley in Alberta, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. In Saskatchewan, barley prices climbed 41 cents per bushel, while in Manitoba the rise has been much more subdued at nine cents. At present […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Rising feed grains pressure feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$6 lower with some reports showing prices as much as $10 lower. Calves traded $2-$4 below week-ago levels; however, the market will be more defined next week, with many auction barns scheduling feature calf sales in the major feeding areas of Alberta. Feeding margins in the […] Read more