(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Rising feed grains pressure feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$6 lower with some reports showing prices as much as $10 lower. Calves traded $2-$4 below week-ago levels; however, the market will be more defined next week, with many auction barns scheduling feature calf sales in the major feeding areas of Alberta. Feeding margins in the […] Read more

A freighter is loaded with grain from a terminal at Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet. (Maxvis/iStock/Getty Images)

Wheat, canola exports ahead of year-ago pace

MarketsFarm — Canadian grain and oilseed exports are running well ahead of the year-ago level eight weeks into the 2020-21 marketing year, according to the latest data from the Canadian Grain Commission. Total bulk exports of the major grains and oilseeds, as of Sunday, of 7.17 million tonnes compare with the six million exported during […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Quality features influence feeder cattle prices

Western Canadian yearling markets have traded in a sideways range over the past couple of weeks; major feedlot operators have been aggressive for 800-pound-plus feeders just off grass because these cattle are most efficient and therefore, most profitable. Grass yearlings were quoted steady to as much as $5 higher this past week. Backgrounded yearlings were […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling market holding value

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded $3 higher to $3 lower on average. The yearling run is well underway and there was no shortage of buying interest. Finishing feedlots were very aggressive on quality packages coming fresh off grass. Once again, buyers focused on local cattle, causing […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling markets mixed

Compared to last week, yearling prices for western Canadian were down $2-$5 on average with the exception of southern Alberta where prices were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots in the Lethbridge area focused on local cattle which contributed to the firmer tone. Outside of Feedlot Alley, weakness in the deferred live cattle futures had buyers on […] Read more


(File photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Prices gain strength

MarketsFarm — Harvest activity in the western Canadian Prairies had depressed feed grain prices at the end of August, but prices have recovered slightly. “There’s been a bit of a break in harvest activity,” Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge said. Producers in southern Alberta had been harvesting barley at the end of […] Read more

Barley. (Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

China ban turns Australian barley growers toward domestic market

Growers may shift to alternative crops next season

Sydney | Reuters — Australian farmers will be forced to sell their barley supplies to the domestic livestock industry or cheaper international markets after China effectively banned imports from Australia, farmers said on Wednesday. China late on Tuesday said it would ban barley imports from Australia’s largest grain exporter, just weeks after it slapped a […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling market remains red hot

Barley harvest well underway in southern Alberta

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average; however, in southern Alberta, yearlings traded $6-$8 above week-ago levels. A few auction barns in Alberta held their first feature sales of the fall run and buyers showed up with both hands. The quality of yearlings coming off grass is excellent and […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling demand remains firm

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings fresh off grass traded steady to $2 higher; backgrounded yearlings were relatively unchanged. The calf market was too thin to quote. Major feedlot operators set the price structure and were once again very aggressive. While many feedlots are backed up with market-ready supplies of fed cattle, some feedlots […] Read more

Photo: iStock

Feed weekly outlook: Feed grains come under harvest pressure

MarketsFarm – Delayed springtime planting pushed back the feed grain harvest. As a result, prices for old crop feed grains are now beginning to converge with new crop prices. “It feels like we’re transitioning towards new crop,” remarked Travis Ebens, a grains trader with CorNine Commodities in Lacombe, Alta. He said prices for feed barley […] Read more