Daily Cattle Report

Friday February 3, 2012

Slaughter Report Last updated February 3, 2012

Feeder Report Last updated February 3, 2012

Alberta Cattle Industry Market Report

Alberta direct cattle sales Thursday saw light trade develop with prices steady to slightly lower than Wednesday. Moderate carry over volumes will likely be added to next week’s showlist. Business has essentially concluded for this week.

Yesterday

Live

Rail

Steers

No trade

186.50

Heifers

No trade

186.50


In the cow and bull trade in Central Alberta on Thursday:

D1, D2 cows

D3 cows

Bulls

67.00-78.00

62.00-66.00

80.00-90.00

US Trade

In the US, there is no new trade to report. Bids of 196.00-198.00 have been reported in the Northern regions. Packer interest is anticipated to improve as the day progresses, business should develop by this afternoon.

Yesterday

Live

Rail

Choice Steers

No trade

No trade

Choice Heifers

No trade

No trade


National slaughter cows traded:

Boner Cows

Rail

Over 500 lbs

128.00-168.00

Canadian Dollar

The Canadian dollar at 8:30 this morning was trading at 100.28, up 0.19.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange

On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, in midsession trade, live cattle futures are as follows:

February

April

June

125.05, -0.10

128.80, -0.10

128.00a, -0.10

Replacement Trade

Information provided on this report is supplied by various auction markets throughout Alberta. In reference to the following prices, producers are reminded to check with individual markets on current prices and trends. Prices quoted include top quality cattle only.

Feeder and stocker prices in Central Alberta on Thursday.

Steers

Heifers

900+

n/a

n/a

800-900

138.00-147.00

n/a

700-800

145.00-158.00

135.00-145.00

600-700

150.00-174.00

140.00-154.00

500-600

175.00-199.00

145.00-168.00

400-500

190.00-205.00

150.00-175.00

300-400

190.00-230.00

165.00-184.00


Bred Cows

Bred Heifers

Cow/Calf Pairs

n/a

n/a

n/a


All information sourced from Statistics Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Canfax

Canfax Weekly Article

Report for the week of January 30, 2012.

Stronger US fed prices two weeks ago and encouraging fundamentals failed to stimulate our domestic market place last week. With US packers facing negative margins, the anticipation of improved buyer interest from Northwest plants was limited. The Canfax weighted average steer price last week closed at $113.66/cwt, down $0.50 while heifers eased $1.05 lower to average $113.10/cwt. Last week sales volumes totaled 12,500 head, down 37% from the previous week. Western Canadian fed cattle slaughter for the week ending January 20th totaled 32,338. Canadian fed exports to the US for the week ending January 14th totaled 6,033 head.

A respectable volume of feeder cattle came to auction this week with the return of milder weather. Prices continued to surge higher. Strong live and feeder futures are partially responsible for firming feeder prices this month, but feedlots are also restocking pens as yearlings head to market. Early interest from the competitive grass market has also bolstered demand. Canfax average steer prices were up $6.25/cwt while heifer prices surged $6.90/cwt higher. The Western Canadian calf index closed last week at $170.87/cwt, up $7.54. Auction volumes of 23,074 head were significantly larger following the previous week’s chilly weather. USDA reported Canadian feeder exports to the US for the week ending January 14th were 1% larger than the previous week at 2,024 head.

Slaughter cow prices surged almost $3.50/cwt higher last week as supply continues to moderate. Butcher bull prices firmed $3.00/cwt higher last week to average $79.83/cwt. Exports of non-fed cattle to the US for the week ending January 14th were up 85% to 3,896 head.

Bull factors

  • Mild weather has improved cost of gain.

  • Tightening non-fed supplies are fed price supportive.

  • USDA cattle inventory report was seen as “friendly” for the markets.

Bear factors

  • Overbought cattle futures could see further long liquidation.

  • Poor North American packer margins continue to lead to reduced kills.

  • Fed market ready supplies are anticipated to grow larger moving forward.

For more detailed information on markets this week please visit the Canfax website www.canfax.ca.

  • © 2005 CANFAX a Division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any means whatsoever, without acknowledging that CANFAX was the author of the publication and is the owner of the copyright. For further information contact CANFAX at (403) 275-5110.

  • For over 40 years, Canfax has provided expert analysis of markets and trends in the ever changing North American beef industry. In this new millennium, cattlemen, feedlot managers, and agri-business professionals will continue to rely on up-to-the-minute information as an essential tool for maximizing profit in today’s beef sector. Whether your operation needs to plan for three hours or three years into the future, Canfax delivers timely, accurate information for 21st Century cattle industry professionals.

  • Those interested in becoming Canfax members can sign up on the website at www.canfax.ca