(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market rally stalls

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Eastern Prairie markets were softer but continue to maintain a $5 to as much as $8 premium over major feeding regions of Alberta. We’ve seen a sharp year-over-year increase in imports from the U.S., which is causing a variable price structure to develop across […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Beef demand drives feeder market higher

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were $5 higher on average; calves traded $3 to as much as $6 above week ago levels. Strength in fed cattle prices quickly spilled over into the feeder complex, especially on shorter keep replacements. On Friday, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle from $247 to $250 on […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market remains firm

Western Canadian yearling markets were trading $3 to as much as $6 above week-ago levels while calf prices were relatively unchanged. The Canadian dollar was under pressure all week, closing Friday at US77.85 cents, the lowest levels since mid-July. At the same time, April live cattle futures made fresh contract highs, reflecting a week-over-week gain […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Calm feeder market prior to fall run

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were hard to define over the past week given the limited numbers on offer. Most sale barns remain in holiday mode and the few cattle coming on the market were of various quality. Lighter weight feeders were trading $3 to as much as $10 lower compared to week ago levels; […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle trade lower

The “one-week wonder” from seven to 10 days ago appears to have evaporated; a softer sentiment blanketed Western Canada this week, with feeder markets dropping $4 to $6 on average. A significant slide in live cattle futures, along with softer cash prices, caused feedlots to move into a risk-averse mentality. Heavier replacements took the brunt […] Read more

(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Klassen: Renewed buying interest drives feeder market

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced extremely aggressive buying interest this past week. Feeder cattle in the 700-pound-plus category were trading $2 to as much as $8 higher in some cases, while lighter-weight cattle were steady to $5 above week-ago levels. I was extremely surprised by prices and comments after the dismal January market behaviour. […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market turning over

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were very uneven over the past week. Market reports from the major feeding regions reflected values steady to $3 higher, while other reports were steady to $5 lower. Gains were noted on cattle under 500 pounds, such as in central Alberta, where a small group of exotic and Charolais-based steers […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle experience volatile price action

Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices traded in an volatile fashion this past week due to uncertain economics and beef demand uncertainty. Early in the week, auction barns were reporting values steady with week-ago levels; however, buying enthusiasm started to wane by Wednesday and prices were $3-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) lower by the weekend. Feedlot operators […] Read more