Insights and Stories on Packers

May. 13, 2019 at 8:46 pm CDT

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 lower on average with some auctions down $5 to as much as $8. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $258 delivered, down $15 from the April highs. Feeding margins have slid into negative territory […]

By Jerry Klassen

Mar. 19, 2019 at 7:03 pm CDT

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose Tuesday, with the benchmark June contract hitting a high as poor feedlot conditions in portions of the U.S. Plains raised concerns about beef supplies, traders said. Lean hogs closed lower in a profit-taking setback from contract highs set a […]

By Julie Ingwersen

Feb. 12, 2019 at 7:41 am CST

Alberta fed cattle prices have dropped nearly $15 over the past three weeks. Feedlot margins are deep in red ink, with losses amounting to $200-250 per head. Compared to last week, yearlings and calves over 700 lbs. traded $3-$5 lower; calves under 700 lbs. were down $5-$8 with some feeder […]

By Jerry Klassen

Jan. 11, 2019 at 7:04 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures closed lower on Friday, following softening cash hog prices, traders said. CME February hog futures settled down 1.425 cents at 62.65 cents/lb., halting a three-session advance (all figures US$). Traders noted that hogs in the top cash market of […]

By Mark Weinraub

Dec. 12, 2018 at 5:33 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures rose sharply for the second straight session on Wednesday, reaching a six-week high, on technical buying and expectations that beef packers would pay higher prices for cattle this week, traders said. Cattle futures had declined earlier on Tuesday before turning higher and […]

By Michael Hirtzer