Klassen: Feeder market remains firm

For the week ending February 21, Western Canadian markets for yearlings or backgrounded cattle traded steady to $10/cwt higher. The calf market was mixed with values quoted $5 higher to $10/cwt lower.

Feedlot margins appear to be improving in the short-term which supported the yearling market. Extremely cold temperatures across most of Alberta may have contributed to a softer market for calves.

Near Leoville, Sask., a group of 300 mixed medium frame steers carrying lighter butter averaging 970 pounds on backgrounding ration with full processing traded for $470/cwt fob farm.

More markets coverage: Indonesia opens market to Canadian pork, expands beef access

The Perlich Bros market report include small package of Angus Charolais cross, yearling steers weighing 900 pounds that sold for $502/cwt.

The TEAM market report had a group of 73 black steers with a mean weight of 830 pounds with full processing records and implants on six lbs barley and silage diet sold for $525/cwt fob ranch near Consort, Alta. In Southern Alberta, a pen-sized group of 120 medium to larger frame Simmental cross mixed heifers with full processing data and implants on light grain and corn silage diet (controlled weight gain) averaging 840 pounds were priced at $465/cwt fob farm.

The VJV Ponoka market report included a group of Charolais cross steers weighing 741 pounds on the full herd health program with implants coming off diet of light barley and silage ration sold for $557/cwt. At the same sale, similar quality heifers on the same program weighing 699 pounds were valued at $540/cwt.

At the ring sale in Clyde, Alta., a group of 24 Angus heifers evaluated at 607 pounds traded for $623/cwt. The Perlich Bros market report included a group of 98 black steers on the full herd health program weighing 609 pounds that sold for $687/cwt.

The Killarney, Man. market report had an eight-pack of black steers with a mean weight of 534 pounds priced at $718/cwt.

North of Calgary, a farmer reported a group of Angus cross heifers weighing 510 pounds apparently sold for $670/cwt.

More livestock coverage: Beef sector seeks higher AgriStability cap

For last half August and first half September delivery, 1,000 pound yearling steers in central Alberta are trading in the range of $480-$485/cwt fob ranch.

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $525-$530/cwt delivered, up from the average value of $520/cwt seven days earlier. Using a 60 per cent grading, live prices would be equivalent to $315-$318/cwt delivered.

Feedlot breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $317-$320/cwt for February. In the U.S., live prices were quoted at US$249/cwt, up $1/cwt from a week earlier. This is a fresh record high for the U.S. finished market.