File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Feeder market leaps higher

For the week ending July 20, Western Canadian yearlings traded $8-$15 above prices from seven days earlier. Values for larger groups of quality calves were up $8 to $10 from a week earlier while run of the mill smaller packages were relatively unchanged.

File photo of stormy conditions over Alberta fields. (Larry Stickney/iStock/Getty Images)

Alberta crops holding their own for now

Alberta reported its crops were still in good shape despite temperatures pushing above 30 degrees Celsius and a lack of rain as of July 16. The report put the overall rating for the province’s crops at 74 per cent good to excellent, seven points above the five-year average.


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Prairie forecast: Prolonged heatwave expected

Forecast issued July 17, covering July 17 to 24, 2024

The second heatwave of the summer appears to be establishing itself across the Prairies. This heatwave looks to last the whole forecast period as a strong upper ridge builds over central North America. Intense heat will stretch from the southern U.S. to the Arctic ocean.



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Prairie forecast: More typical summer weather

Forecast issued July 10, covering July 10 to 17, 2024

For this forecast period, it looks like the upper ridge will slowly flatten and drop southwards as a series of weak lows track across the northern Prairies. This will result in a reduction in the extreme temperatures. Daytime highs and overnight lows should fall back to more seasonable values.

 Photo: Canada Beef

Klassen: Buyers tasting feeder cattle prices for fall run

For the week ending July 2, Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier for larger packages. Small groups of 800-pound-plus cattle were $10 to $15 discounted to pen-sized lots. Calf markets were relatively unchanged from the prior week, although volume was limited. There is significant open demand for yearlings and finishing feedlot operators are watching how prices develop.  

Grey skies over the Alberta landscape, July 2023. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Alberta crops doing quite well

Crops throughout Alberta stood at 75 per cent good to excellent as of July 2, according to the latest crop report from the provincial agriculture department. That was eight points above the five-year average despite cooler than normal temperatures and delayed crop development due to excessive rain for most of the province so far this year.


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Prairie forecast: A switch in the weather pattern?

Forecast issued July 3, covering July 3 to 10, 2024

Over the last couple weeks, I've been asked repeatedly, “when will summer actually get here?” This is especially true over the eastern Prairies. It just doesn't and hasn’t felt like summer yet. Well, it looks like the cool, unsettled weather pattern will be breaking down during this forecast period. This will allow much more summer-like temperature to move in.