The number of cattle populating feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Can., on Feb. 1 totaled 1.084 million head, up 104,331, or 10.6%, from 979,669 a year earlier and up188,267, or 21.0%, from the previous five-year average of 895,733.
The data came from the Canadian private market advisory group Can-Fax. The data for the total number on feed and the number of placements are compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver.
The Feb. 1 total showed a seasonal decline in feedlot numbers from January, but this is normal.
Seasonal moves in Canada’s feedlot community are very steady from year to year. The seasonal differences are so marked, the weather pretty much dictates the breeding, calving, pasturing and feeding of cattle.
NUMBERS UP
However, the number of cattle on feed in Canada is up, continuing a trend that began two years ago and continued through last year. Every monthly Cattle on Feed report showed a gain from the previous five-year average.
For instance, the number of cattle on feed Feb. 1 of last year, at 979,669 head was up 83,936, or 9.37%, from the 2014-2018 average of 895,733. Additionally, the number on feed on Jan. 1, at 1.009 million, was up 85,045, or 9.20%, from the five-year average of 923,955.
All of this may mean that Canadian producers are keeping more of their cattle home and feeding them themselves, an analyst said. Weekly US feeder cattle imports fell behind the 2014-2018 average in the last quarter, leaving the calves in Canada for feeding there.
Weekly US feeder cattle imports are falling behind last year and the previous five-year average so far, hinting at a continuation of the pattern farther into this year, the analyst said.
The cattle are being slaughtered in Canada as well, USDA numbers showed. Weekly numbers of fed steers and heifers coming into the US for slaughter has remained very close to last year and the previous five-year average so far this year, continuing last year’s general pattern.
PLACEMENTS NEAR LAST YEAR, AVERAGE
But January’s Canadian feedlot placements are near last year and the 2014-2018 average. Can-Fax data showed that 113,710 head were placed on feed in January, up 6,424, or 5.99%, from 107,286 a year earlier and up 17,768, or 18.5%, from the average of 95,942.
If the seasonals continue normally, the number of feedlot placements in Canada should continue to rise through March and then decline into the annual low in July. As pastures begin to go dormant, feedlot placements will rise into the annual high in October. This will be followed by a significant decline into December and January.
Last year, monthly placements followed the five-year average very closely but rose sharply in October, distancing itself from the average. Placements were down but above the average in November.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
A few cash cattle traded in Nebraska Monday at $187 per cwt on a dressed basis, down $3 from last week. Live-basis trading took place last week at $119 to $120 per cwt, down $1 to up $1.
The USDA choice cutout Monday was up $1.98 per cwt at $207.07, while select was up $0.67 at $202.37. The choice/select spread widened to $4.70 from $3.39 with 68 loads of fabricated product sold into the spot market.
No futures contracts were tendered for delivery Monday against the Feb futures contract.
The CME Feeder Cattle index for the seven days ended Friday was $141.02 per cwt, down $1.05 from the previous day. This compares with Monday’s Mar contract settlement of $136.02, down $4.17.