Insights and Stories on Packers

Mar. 17, 2020 at 10:57 am CDT

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $12-$18; mid-weight calves were down $10 to as much as $15 while calves under 550 lbs. were down $4-$8. The market is incorporating a risk discount due to uncertainty in beef demand for the second and third quarters of 2020. […]

By Jerry Klassen

Mar. 16, 2020 at 5:53 pm CDT

Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to reassure meat producers it will keep slaughterhouses staffed with federal inspectors as fears about potential shutdowns due to the COVID-19 coronavirus hammer livestock prices and fuel concerns about food supplies, meat industry groups said on Monday. Livestock markets […]

By Tom Polansek

Mar. 6, 2020 at 5:18 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures sank to contract lows on Friday, extending a decline fueled by fears that the global coronavirus outbreak will slow economic growth and reduce demand for beef. Losses in the market have accelerated as the virus has spread, with the most-active April live cattle […]

By Tom Polansek

Feb. 4, 2020 at 7:40 pm CST

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 lower in Alberta while prices eroded by $2-$5 in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Noticeable weakness was evident in yearling prices, while grass cattle experienced limited slippage. Backgrounding operators are starting to liquidate fall-placed calves. Quality was quite variable, […]

By Jerry Klassen

Jan. 15, 2020 at 7:54 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) inched higher on Wednesday as the United States and China signed a Phase One trade agreement that could lead to increased sales of U.S. meat to the world’s biggest pork consumer. However, gains in futures were […]

By Julie Ingwersen