Cattle use round bales as a wind break. (NDSU photo)

Klassen: Yearling return to the lineup on strong demand

Frigid temperatures result in limited volumes

The market hasn’t missed a beat and started the year where it left in December. The only difference is there are larger supplies of yearlings coming on stream. The benchmark levels had backgrounded steers averaging 1,000 pounds trading from $280-$285/cwt with top bids rounding at $290/cwt. Steers averaging 850-pounds were averaging $300/cwt with top-notch larger groups peaking at $305.


File photo of a colourful sky from along Highway 363 southwest of Moose Jaw. (Mysticenergy/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie forecast: Frigid temperatures moving in

Issued Jan. 10, 2024, covering Jan 10 to 17

Coldest temperatures look to be over the western prairies but there looks to be some relief from the really cold temperatures early next week. With cold arctic high pressure dominating, little in the way of snow is expected during this forecast period.

File photo of cattle on feed near Champion, Alta., about 75 km north of Lethbridge. (James_Gabbert/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Cattle producers anxious about 2024

No sales the first week of 2024 as markets assess inventory, plan strategy

The holiday break for the cattle market is analogous to an the intermission between periods of hockey game. Feedlot operators assess inventory and to focus on the market structure. They’re planning their purchase strategy for the next couple months.




(Keeperofthezoo/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie forecast: Winter temperatures moving in

Issued Jan. 03, covering: Jan. 3 – 10

Looking at this forecast period, the best way I can describe it is that we will be seeing a slow slide into more seasonal temperatures. The persistent upper-level ridging that brought warm--and record warm temperatures--to much of the prairies in December has broken down. The weather models are showing a trough of low pressure developing over the west coast over the next seven days.


(Sierrarat/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Feeder market quiets at year-end

Feeding margins have moved into negative territory, setting a negative tone for replacements

The last full week of 2023 was characterized by lower volumes and limited buying interest. Feedlot operators don’t want to weigh down schedules of hired hands over the holidays. Many auction barns were closed for the season while some held bred cows and bred heifer sales.

Winter is a good time to review farm transition plans.


Prairie forecast: One more week of above average temperatures

Issued Dec. 27, covering Dec. 27 to Jan. 3

As we head into a new year, it's looking like this could be the last mild forecast period before a switch to a more typical winter weather pattern. As usual, there is always a fair bit of uncertainty in forecasts beyond seven or so days, but we all knew that at some point we'd see some cold wintery weather move in.