Insights and Stories on Markets

Dec. 31, 2024 at 9:15 am CST

For the week ending December 28, there were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada; however, that didn’t stop cattle producers from emailing or calling me over the holidays inquiring about market direction. I thought it would be an opportune time to discuss a couple factors that will influence the market direction over the next couple of months.

By Jerry Klassen

Dec. 24, 2024 at 9:20 am CST

For the week ending December 21, Western Canadian backgrounded cattle and heavier calves were unchanged to $5 lower on average. Calves in the 600-800 pound range were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 pounds were steady to $10 higher.

By Jerry Klassen

Dec. 17, 2024 at 9:43 am CST

The market continues to digest the U.S. border closure to Mexican feeder cattle, which is drawing more U.S. demand towards Western Canada. Auction market volumes are declining at this time of year. The quality of cattle was sub-par in some regions which caused prices to be quite variable.

By Jerry Klassen

Dec. 10, 2024 at 9:45 am CST

For the week ending December 7, Western Canadian feeder cattle weighing 700 pounds plus traded $10 to $20 higher compared to seven days earlier. Calves under 700 pounds were up $8 to $10 on average. The markets in Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan were premium to Alberta in the heavier categories due to stronger U.S. and Ontario buying interest.

By Jerry Klassen

Dec. 9, 2024 at 11:02 am CST

Speculative fund traders were busy putting on fresh bearish bets in early December, taking the net managed money short position back above 100,000 contracts for the first time in two months, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

By Phil Franz-Warkentin