Taste-testing during a Canadian Beef Advantage Seminar in Shanghai in 2013. (Canada Beef via YouTube)

Klassen: Uncertain beef demand weighs on feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearling and heavier calves were down $2-$4 on average. The calf market was hard to define; Alberta markets traded $3 lower to $4 higher but notable strength was evident in Saskatchewan and Manitoba where values were steady to $4 higher. Favourable weather contributed to higher auction market […] Read more

CME June 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market remains under pressure

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 lower in Alberta while prices eroded by $2-$5 in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Noticeable weakness was evident in yearling prices, while grass cattle experienced limited slippage. Backgrounding operators are starting to liquidate fall-placed calves. Quality was quite variable, with fleshier cattle experiencing sharper […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market lacks buying interest

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$5 lower on average. Values in Alberta were relatively unchanged but markets in the eastern Prairie regions appeared to trade $4 to as much as $6 below week-ago levels. Alberta yearlings were relatively unchanged, but noticeable slippage was noted in the non-major feeding regions. Feedlots […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm

Feeder cattle markets experienced light volumes during the final week of December and prices were relatively unchanged compared to week-ago levels. Yearling values were slightly softer, as these cattle will not have enough time to be ready for the April fed market. Buying interest for mid-weight categories was characterized as sluggish, while light-weight bawlers were […] Read more



It’s increasingly difficult to find processing capacity for Ontario cattle.

What’s the future for Ontario’s beef herd?

Commodity organization says elimination of Ryding-Regency Meat Packers as a cattle-buyer hurts an industry already constrained by inadequate processing capacity

Ontario beef farmers are struggling to find buyers for their cattle with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) recent decision to revoke federal slaughter, processing and export licenses for Ryding-Regency Meat Packers and affiliates. According to Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO), the elimination of Ryding-Regency as a viable purchaser comes at a time when the […] Read more

(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market volatility continues

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average. For the second week in a row, the markets were quite variable across the Prairies but shorter-keep yearlings appeared to lead the charge higher. In Alberta, quality 900-lb. steers were once again touching the $190 level and 800-lb.-plus steers […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market under weight of imports

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 lower to $2 higher. It’s that time of year when most feedlots are carrying sufficient numbers and buyers are hesitant to increase ownership unless they can see profitability. Auction market volumes contained weaned and unweaned calves over the past week; premiums returned for feeders […] Read more



Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Steady demand seen for all feeder cattle

Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged.  Yearlings supplies were limited in certain regions which caused buyers to shrug off fleshier characteristics in some cases; however, heavier yearlings over 950 pounds were somewhat softer. Finishing feedlots appeared to be more aggressive on heavier, vaccinated or pre-conditioned calves. Many auction barns […] Read more