(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Favourable margins support feeder market

There were no sales last week with auction barns closed for the holiday season; therefore, we start the year looking forward at factors that will influence the feeder market over the next month. While the feeder market was quiet, feedlot operators were surprised with the U.S. fed cattle market jumping US$3-$4 from seven days earlier. […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market experiences softer demand

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle sold $4-$6 lower on average. Feedlot operators backed away from the markets due to stronger feed grain prices and weakness south of the border. Certain regions of the U.S. Midwest and southern Plains have experienced adverse weather, which caused U.S. feeder cattle prices to experience a week-over-week […] Read more

CME August 2019 live cattle (red) and January 2019 feeder cattle (blue). (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market searching for direction

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable from seven days earlier. Prices were unchanged in the eastern Prairie regions; however, Alberta markets traded $3 to as much as $7 below week-ago levels. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels, so there’s limited buying power available. Calves are fleshier […] Read more

An obvious case of TTNS in both claws is shown here before toes are nipped.

Research focuses on flooring design as possible disease cause

Toe tip necrosis syndrome often misdiagnosed, and likely more common than had been thought: vet researcher

Toe tip necrosis syndrome (TTNS), a disease that causes lameness in the hind feet of cattle, has been overlooked for years said a veterinary researcher. “I think the disease has always been there and we’ve just misdiagnosed it,” said Murray Jelinski from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle demand softens

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were $2 to $3 lower on average. Feedlots were more aggressive on replacements that will finish for the March April fed cattle market. April live cattle futures continue to trade at a $8 premium to the June contract so lighter yearlings were discounted accordingly. The quality was […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle demand softens

Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to as much as $5 lower. Feedlot margins have come under pressure over the past week which resulted in lower bids for all weight categories. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 18 to 20 per cent above year-ago levels. Pen space is at […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Feeder cattle market volatility continues

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearlings sold $4 to $6 lower while calves were extremely variable dropping $4 to as much as $10 in some cases. Many auction barns held feature sales last week and larger supplies weighed on the market. Weakness in the deferred live cattle futures also contributed to the softer tone. Feeder […] Read more

Klassen: Stronger demand supports feeder market

Klassen: Stronger demand supports feeder market

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets jumped $2-$5 last week, after adverse weather caused buyers to shy away earlier in October. Major feedlot operators were very aggressive on quality yearling packages and heavier weaned vaccinated calves. Many operations have limited ownership at this time of year because wet, cold weather conditions delayed purchases. The market appeared […] Read more



Mike Conlin runs a 5,000 head feedlot at Lucan, Ont., with his sons, Peter and Tom, and his parents, Tony and Mary.

Family rooted to farm for more than a century

Three generations feed 5,000 head, mostly Black Angus, in an operation that is Ontario Corn Fed Beef certified

When a family has worked the same land for more than 100 years, they develop an appreciation for past and future generations. The Conlin farm at Lucan, near London, is owned and operated by Mike and Jen Conlin and their children, along with parents, Tony and Mary Conlin, who are retiring. “I don’t think succession […] Read more