CME August 2021 feeder cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and 100-day moving average (black line). (Barchart)

Klassen: Stronger demand drives feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $3 to as much as $6 higher, but calf prices were relatively unchanged. Major feedlot operators were very aggressive on heavier calves and yearlings weighing 700-850 lbs. Yearlings over 850 lbs. were also well bid but not as strong as their lighter-weight counterparts. Feed barley prices […] Read more







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Klassen: Steady demand supports feeder cattle prices

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged while calves were steady to $2 higher on average. Auction barns received larger supplies of backgrounded cattle and there was a fair amount of direct trade of yearlings off farm. Larger supplies of heavier-weight feeders appeared to limit the upside but there was no slippage. […] Read more

Eastern Canadian beef farmers vaccinate at a lower rate compared to those in the west, resulting in cattle more likely to become ill.

Cow-calf management has big effects in feedlots

In-utero management of calves can assure a better functioning immune system

Making minor adjustments to health management may result in higher returns for cow-calf and feedlot operators. “I think there’s money being left on the table,” said Greg Dimmers, Metzger Vet Services veterinarian. “And potential things that could be done a little bit differently that can end up with a better-finished product at the end and […] Read more


CME April 2021 live cattle with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle, lean hogs end lower on profit-taking

March feeder cattle also lower

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell on Wednesday in a light profit-taking setback following a four-session climb, and on spillover weakness from declines in Wall Street equity markets, traders said. However, continued strength in wholesale beef prices and expectations of higher cash cattle prices this week underpinned the market. Chicago Mercantile Exchange […] Read more

CME March 2021 feeder cattle (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (red line) and CBOT March 2021 corn (yellow line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle gain from falling feed prices

Live cattle, lean hog futures also up

Chicago | Reuters — CME Group feeder cattle futures rose on Friday, bolstered by falling corn futures. March feeder cattle gained five cents to settle at 144.15 cents, adding 9.575 cents for the week — a 7.1 per cent gain as corn fell 5.8 per cent, its biggest drop since the week ending March 20, […] Read more