For the week ending August 3, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Strong buying interest continued on yearlings straight off grass; however, the “just get’em” type orders that were evident a week earlier now had limits. More cattle will come available in August and buyers are being more patient to see how the market develops.
Tag Archives fed cattle

Klassen: Feeder rally stalls

Klassen: Western Canadian yearling prices hit fresh record highs
The year-over-year decline in last year’s calf crop has caused the market to set new records. Larger finishing feedlots are setting the price structure as many of these lots have seasonal low inventory. The quality of yearlings coming off grass is excellent with buyers shopping for feed efficiencies.

Klassen: Feeder market leaps higher
For the week ending July 20, Western Canadian yearlings traded $8-$15 above prices from seven days earlier. Values for larger groups of quality calves were up $8 to $10 from a week earlier while run of the mill smaller packages were relatively unchanged.

Klassen: Buyers tasting feeder cattle prices for fall run
For the week ending July 2, Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier for larger packages. Small groups of 800-pound-plus cattle were $10 to $15 discounted to pen-sized lots. Calf markets were relatively unchanged from the prior week, although volume was limited. There is significant open demand for yearlings and finishing feedlot operators are watching how prices develop.

Klassen: Light volumes characterize feeder market
For the week ending June 29, Western Canadian yearling and calf markets were unchanged from seven days earlier. Many auction barns are in holiday mode and volumes were light, making the market hard to define. Late blooming stragglers and off grade calves were common.

Ontario beef producer stress increases as Cargill strike stretches on
BFO says some financial institutions are offering relief
The strain increases for eastern Canadian beef producers as Cargill’s Guelph Dunlop strike stretches into its fifth week. “We respect and support the collective bargaining process, but the disruption here is placing incredible strain, stress and anxiety on producers,” explained Richard Horne, Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) executive director. “And it’s creating cashflow constraints.” The […] Read more

Klassen: Canadian heifer retention tightening feeder supply
Alberta and Saskatchewan heifer placements in the lighter weight categories are down from year-ago levels. Comments from ranchers and order buyers suggest that Western Canadian ranchers are holding back on heifers to expand the herd. This usually results in a narrowing of the steer/heifer spread.

Klassen: Quality yearlings lead feeder complex higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quoted $5 lower to $5 higher on average in the week ending June 15. However, quality packages of yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels

Klassen: Feeder cattle market ratchets higher on stronger fed market
For the week ending June 8, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to $6 above week-ago levels. In certain locations, quality packages of 600 pound plus steers were $8 to $10 higher compared to seven days earlier. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $440/cwt, up $2/cwt from the previous […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market hard to define on smaller volumes
For the week ending June 1, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to the previous week. It’s that time of year when volumes are limited and the market can be quite variable from region to region.