Ram and Leon Manufacturing made hydraulic cylinders and agricultural equipment, respectively. The family owned companies were both in business for more than 50 years but began having cash flow problems several years ago. Photo: Screencap via archive.org

Buyer found for bankrupt Ram Industries assets

The Yorkton, Sask. company, along with Leon Manufacturing, went into receivership last year after more than 50 years in business

The company was placed in receivership last June, ordered bankrupt in late January and on Feb. 27 the Court of King's Bench approved the sale to 102203996 Saskatchewan Ltd. for an undisclosed price.

Photo: Thinkstock

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.




(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

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.

Photo: Vadimgouida/iStock/Getty Images

Prairie forecast: Cold snap coming to an end

Forecast issued February 19, covering Feb. 19 to 26, 2025

For this forecast period, as predicted a week ago, we're finally going to see an end to this long cold snap. The polar vortex is weakening and is forecasted to move off to the east. This will allow for a strong push of mild Pacific air to flood across the Prairies. It should bring temperatures above freezing to Alberta beginning early in the forecast period. Near to above freezing temperatures should move into Saskatchewan and Manitoba over the weekend.



Photo: Alexis Stockford

Prairie forecast: Cold high pressure to dominate

Forecast issued February 12, covering Feb. 12 to 19, 2025

Unfortunately, it looks like the cold weather will stick around for at least this forecast period. Maybe a little bit longer. There are some signs of this pattern breaking down near the end of the month, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.