(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Klassen: Narrow margins weigh on feeder market

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were under pressure the week ending Sept. 19, trading $5 to as much as $10 lower compared to seven days earlier. Negative feeding margins along with a major selloff in live cattle futures destroyed the buying enthusiasm that was evident earlier in August. Feedlot operators appeared to be in disarray, […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market momentum eases

The upward momentum in the feeder cattle complex appears to have subsided over the past week. Western Canadian prices were relatively stable with week-ago levels but there were cases of quality yearling packages (800-plus lbs.) trading $2 to $4 higher. Excellent pasture conditions and optimal weather have delayed feature sales this year in the eastern […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market tenacious

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices appeared to shrug off all negative economic news and divorce from the fed cattle complex this past week. Volumes were once again quite thin, characterized by varying quality. Feedlot operators were active on all fronts, especially in southern Alberta where the barley harvest is in full swing. Heavier yearlings on […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stabilize

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stabilize

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices found some footing this past week trading at similar levels to seven days earlier.  Auction market volumes consisted of stragglers and late bloomers with minimal numbers on offer; buyers on hand continue to promote the scarcity principle which caused the market to stabilize. Feedlots operators were quite aggressive on 800 […] Read more


Klassen: Various views on the feeder cattle market

Klassen: Various views on the feeder cattle market

If you talked to three Western Canadian cattle buyers this week, you probably would receive four different views on the market. Certain auction barns were reflecting an average week-over-week decline of $3 to $5 but feature strings of cattle were back up to historical high prices. Early sales in the season are like tryouts at a […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Drought creates speed bump for cattle herd expansion

CNS Canada — Expansion efforts in Canada’s cattle sector are likely taking a breather right now, as a lack of rain in Alberta and Saskatchewan creates challenges for ranchers trying to feed their animals. According to Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Inc. at Taber, Alta., some cattle in the western Prairies are already being moved […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Lower grain production weighing on feeder market

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a mixed tone over the past week, with auction markets reporting prices $3 lower to $3 higher in comparison to seven days earlier. The Prairie region continues to experience above-average temperatures causing significant deterioration to pasture and crops in Alberta and western Saskatchewan. Certain auction markets experienced slightly larger […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market experiences softer tone

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a soft tone this past week on very light volumes. It’s that time of year where producers market the “stragglers,” or late bloomers, that were not up to standard earlier in spring. Therefore, the market was difficult to define but the overall sentiment felt malleable with various-quality cattle on […] Read more

(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Klassen: Drier conditions soften feeder market

Alberta and Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices were $2 to $5 lower on average last week due to rising barley prices and deteriorating pasture conditions. All weight categories were under pressure, with sharper slippage on shorter-keep replacements. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $202 to $204, but rising feed grain prices caused […] Read more