(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


(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 market falters

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Alberta feeder cattle prices appeared to move in line with major U.S. markets, which were also down $3-$5 from week-ago levels; however, minimal slippage was noted in eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Weakness in deferred live and feeder cattle […] Read more


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 eyes feed grain rally

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Limited cattle were on offer with the shortened holiday week, but quality groups were well bid. Feedlot operators have been aggressively selling fed cattle, freeing up pen space. Although feedlot inventories decline in the summer, many operations want to carry sufficient numbers into the […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market looks for direction

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were once again unchanged from week-ago levels. After the major rally in late April and May, the market has basically traded in a sideways range and is looking for direction. Feedlot operators have experienced healthy margins during the first half of 2017 and this will likely continue until September. They […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

‘Mini-harvest’ likely to weigh on feed grains

CNS Canada –– Seasonal lows in the Western Canadian feed grain market may stick around longer than normal this year, as the industry awaits the abnormal spring harvest of those fields left to overwinter this year. “The seasonals are fairly consistent,” said Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, adding “we usually see the […] Read more