Barley south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 3, 2017. (Dave Bedard photo)

Feed barley market firms with weak production numbers

CNS Canada — A 16.8 per cent drop in the size of Canada’s barley crop has given feed barley prices some support, according to an industry-watcher in Alberta. “The market is looking fairly strong,” said Allan Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. “It’s made things a little firmer for new-crop feed grain.” Wet weather […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market experiences renewed optimism

Compared to last week, yearlings traded $3-$5 higher while calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher in some cases. Southern Alberta yearling prices were unchanged this week after trading at premium to western Canadian markets earlier in September. The U.S. Department of Agriculture came out on Tuesday and lowered its beef production […] 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 stabilizes

After the recent rally, cattle buyers noted that price spreads between weight categories came back in line with traditional levels this week. Shorter-keep yearlings were steady to $4 weaker compared to seven days earlier; mid-weight cattle from 700 to 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while feeders under 700 lbs. were $4 to $8 higher. On […] 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.)

Prairie feed wheat, barley at seasonal highs

CNS Canada –– Feed barley and feed wheat appear to be settling into some seasonal highs, according to a market-watcher in Alberta. “Whether it goes up much more remains to be seen,” said Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. “Between Easter and May long weekend, we’re probably at a high.” High vomitoxin (10 […] Read more

(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Fear of feed expected to keep malt barley acres low

CNS Canada — Concerns about weather dictating the quality of malt barley is keeping producers from seeding the crop this year, one industry participant says, while weak prices offer no extra incentive. “Acres are definitely going to be down, because of the fear of getting feed barley, which is horrendously low-priced,” said Rod Green of […] Read more


(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Feed market awaits influx of spring-threshed grains

CNS Canada — As spring slowly approaches, western Canadian feed dealers are warily eyeing the amount of grain that may be left over on Prairie fields. “There’s a bit of concern about how much spring-threshed grain we may see here in the next few weeks,” said Allan Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. “That’s […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Healthy margins drive feeder complex

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher compared to week-ago levels. Buyers were quite meticulous on flesh levels and quality features in the heavier weight categories; however, feedlot operators were definitely more aggressive this week. Major operations have liquidated a fair amount of fed cattle and these players are anxious to reload […] Read more