(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Spring weather revitalizes feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4-$6 higher. Yearlings led the charge higher with quality packages selling $5 to as much as $8 above week-ago levels. The return of seasonal temperatures provided a shot of adrenaline for the feeder market. There are quite a few operations carrying minimal numbers because of […] Read more

Cattle producers and feeders in some areas of southern Alberta have been dealing with overland flooding, such as shown here Saturday over Highway 36 south of Vauxhall, and otherwise mushy conditions. (Photo courtesy Taber RCMP)

Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Stronger export demand appears to be supporting the market in Manitoba and certain pockets in Saskatchewan; however, Alberta feedlot interest remains subdued. Adverse weather continues to plague southern Alberta. Snow and freezing temperatures followed by brief melting periods have resulted in very poor […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market continues lower trend

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 to $8 below week-ago levels; noticeable declines were noted in the lighter weight categories, which were down $6 to as much as $10. Adverse weather continues to plague the feedlot regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Another snowfall over the weekend caused pen conditions to erode to lowest levels […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Rising feed grain prices weigh on feeder market

Western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels; however, feeder cattle fit for grass and calves dropped $4 to as much as $10 from seven days earlier. Rising feed grain costs appear to be affecting lighter weight categories more than the yearling market. Feedlots will be struggling with negative margins through the summer […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feedlots struggle through adverse weather

Western Canadian yearling prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $5-$8 with some pockets deteriorating $10 to as much as $12. Adverse weather in southern Alberta has resulted in limited buying interest from main feedlot operators. Feedlot Alley has received 150-200 per cent of normal precipitation over the past 60 days. Snow and rain, along with […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Buyers’ temperance subdues feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were under pressure trading steady to $3 lower; however, eastern Canadian orders were prevalent in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan, where values were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Alberta feedlot demand was subdued as the deferred live cattle futures traded to three-month lows. Most operations are holding high-priced […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market sends mixed signals

Klassen: Feeder market sends mixed signals

Compared to last week, western Canadian average yearling prices were steady to $3 lower while heavier replacements above 1,000 lbs. actively traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures, along with rising feed grain prices, caused buyers to lower their bids accordingly. Steers averaging 1,000 lbs. were readily trading […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices gaining momentum

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $4 higher while calves and grass cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Once again, there was a wide range of prices across the Prairies as feedlots adjust to higher feed grain prices. Secondly, buyers were quick to discount fleshier cattle; backgrounded calves fed too much […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle markets absorbing price uncertainty

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable throughout the week due to the uncertain price structure in the deferred position. Yearling prices differentiated by nearly $15 across the Prairies while lighter calves were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Adverse weather throughout January and February has tempered demand for replacement cattle. Southern Alberta has received […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Stronger fed cattle prices jolt feeder market

Feeder cattle markets came alive last week as fed cattle prices took a fortuitous bounce. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $276-$279 on a dressed basis, up approximately $4 from week-ago levels. Improving beef demand enhanced wholesale beef prices, which quickly spilt over into the cattle complex. Compared to last week, […] Read more