For the week ending March 22, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average. Higher quality strings under 600 pounds traded $5 to as much as $10 higher in some cases but the lighter weight categories were quite variable across the Prairies.
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Klassen: Feeder cattle follow live cattle futures higher

Prairie forecast: Spring battle between warm and cold continues
Forecast issued March 19, covering March 19 to 26, 2025
For this forecast period the weather models are showing a fairly quiet weather pattern will only a couple of chances of light snow as weak systems track along the boundary between the cold Arctic air to our north and milder air to the south. This is the big question mark for this forecast period: just where will this boundary be?

Feed grains weekly: Looming tariffs scaring away demand
Feed market is ‘wait and see’ says broker
Ongoing tariff uncertainty continues to curtail demand in the feed sector across the Canadian Prairies, said broker Evan Peterson of JGL Commodities in Saskatoon.

Prairie forecast: Dreaded Colorado low on the radar
Forecast issued March 12, covering March 12 to 19, 2025
As I mentioned in last weeks weather article, March and April can see some of the biggest snowstorms of the year. While I don't think this one will be one for the record books, there's the potential for some wintery weather across the Prairies between now and the end of the weekend.

Klassen: Tariff drama results in volatile feeder cattle market
For the week ending March 7, there were two distinct price structures. On Monday, March 3, feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from the previous week. However, once the U.S. implemented tariffs for Canadian cattle on March 4 , feeder cattle markets dropped by $10-$15/cwt on average.

Prairie forecast: Very mild west, slowly warming east
Forecast issued March 5, covering March 5 to 12, 2025
As we ease into what can be the stormiest and snowiest time of the year on the Prairies, the big question is—are we going to see a late winter snowstorm? Well, I can say that we won’t. What I can say is the odds are low in this forecast period.

Klassen: Feeders remain firm despite tariff uncertainty
For the week ending March 1, Western Canadian feeder markets traded steady to $6 higher compared to seven days earlier. Despite expected tariffs, there was no fear to secure ownership.

Spring flood risk low to moderate in Manitoba: Report
Outlook depends on spring weather
Most of Manitoba is at a low to moderate risk of spring flooding this year, according to the latest outlook from the province's Transportation and Infrastructure's Hydrologic Forecast Centre.

Prairie forecast: Mild and dry west – unsettled start to the east
In recent days the weather models have leaned towards the mild weather sticking around. The the main medium to long range forecast models are calling for a warmer than average March across the Prairies. Maybe we are seeing an early start to spring.

Klassen: Feedlot operators anticipate lower feeder cattle supplies for spring
Feedlot Operators Anticipate Lower Feeder Cattle Supplies in Spring
For the week ending February 22, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. Positive feeding margins along with improving weather enhanced demand from Alberta and Ontario feedlot operators. Many feedlot operators have shrugged off the tariff threat and are carrying on business as normal. Auction market scouts, who are sourcing for cattle, report that many cow calf producers sold cattle earlier in December or January. It appears that there will be a sharp drop in available numbers in Western Canada during March and April. This sentiment appears to have spurred on larger operations to secure ownership of feeder cattle in the short-term
At the Lloydminster sale, larger frame lower flesh Simmental based steers weighing 950 pounds sold for $363. South of Edmonton, larger frame mixed steers on barley and corn silage ration with full processing records averaging 903 pounds traded for $370. North of Calgary, Limousin mixed heifers carrying lighter butter averaging 910 pounds supposedly traded for $335.
At the St Rose Auction in Manitoba, medium to larger frame red steers evaluated at 800 pounds notched the board at $395. At the same sale, larger frame black heifers on the card at 809 pounds were valued at $357. The Prince Alberta auction market report had black steers weighing 742 pounds trading for $400. In Central Alberta, a smaller string of 705-pounds Angus blended steers on light barley and silage diet with full processing data were last bid at $432. In Southern Alberta, red Simmental based heifers averaging a hair over 700 pounds reportedly moved at $374.
The Lloydminster Auction Market Report had black mixed steers evaluated at 604 pounds selling for $486. In central Saskatchewan, run-of-the-mill mixed heifers scaled at 610 pounds apparently sold for $408. In Manitoba, Simmental cross steers weighing a hair over 600 pounds were quoted at $479. In central Alberta, pre-conditioned Charolais heifers weighing 625 pounds on hay and silage diet were valued at $433.
The Prince Albert Market Report had 500-pound black steers selling for $560. In southern Alberta, Charolais based steers averaging 510 pounds were quoted at $570. In Manitoba, a smaller package of Charolais heifers weighing 505 pounds reportedly sold for $469.
U.S. feedlot placements during January were 1.822 million head, up 2% or 31,000 head from the January 2024 figure of 1.791 million. In the U.S., we’re seeing a build-up of market-ready fed cattle supplies. The opposite is occurring in Western Canada. Market-ready fed cattle supplies in Alberta and Saskatchewan are extremely tight. The function of the Western Canadian feeder cattle market is to ration demand by trading at a premium to U.S. values.
It appears that there will be a sharp drop in available numbers in Western Canada during March and April. This sentiment appears to have spurred on larger operations to secure ownership of feeder cattle in the short-term.