(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Strong demand surfacing for feeder cattle

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable over the past week. Auction barns in Manitoba and Saskatchewan remain in holiday mode. However, markets are coming to life in Alberta. Certain ranchers are starting to sell early bloomers and there’s no shortage of demand for these yearlings. In east-central Alberta, a couple of small groups […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Calm feeder market prior to fall run

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were hard to define over the past week given the limited numbers on offer. Most sale barns remain in holiday mode and the few cattle coming on the market were of various quality. Lighter weight feeders were trading $3 to as much as $10 lower compared to week ago levels; […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market firm despite outside influences

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels despite the strengthening Canadian dollar, stronger feed grain values and weaker fed cattle prices. Feedlot operators are wondering if this is a mockery, a delusion or a snare. Shorter term replacements are hard to come by and haven’t softened a half hair length. Small groups […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Renewed optimism supports feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were trading $3 lower to as much as $5 higher. Once again, most auction barns were either closed or had limited numbers on offer. Lighter-weight yearlings were in high demand, especially after the triple-digit gains in the live and feeder cattle futures on Wednesday and Thursday. […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market enters summer doldrums

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices steady to $5 lower across all weight categories last week with most auction barns starting their summer holiday schedule. Most sales rings are closed next week. Limited numbers were on offer across the Prairies, which caused diverse price action in certain regions. Heavier feeders are hard to come by this […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences mixed tone

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were rather subdued this past week; average prices were unchanged from seven days earlier. However, the bloom has come off the rose as the extreme highs from earlier in May have evaporated. Late in the week, shorter-keep cattle appeared to trade $3-$5 higher, especially on higher-quality larger groups. Major feedlot […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market remains firm

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels although lighter weight categories experienced week-over-week gains of $8 to as much as $12. The fed cattle market went through a correction, with live sales quoted from $181 to $186, down from the last week average trade of $195. This weaker live cattle trade appeared […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle markets erupt

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10-$13 above week-ago levels and in some cases as high as $20. Buying interest exploded early in the week as adverse weather wreaked havoc across the U.S. southern Plains. Demand for replacements continued to intensify as the fed cattle prices surged. Alberta packers experienced strong competition from buyers south […] Read more