Jerry Klassen

Calf prices in Western Canada were steady to $2 higher last week with 570-weight steers moving at $130 per hundredweight; tan steers weighing 540 pounds sold for $134/cwt. We continue to see strong demand from both feedlot operators and backgrounding operations. New technology implants and treating methods have caused the large feedlot operator to feel […] Read more

Softer slaughter values in Alberta and stronger barley prices have tempered the upward trend in the feeder cattle market. Steers weighing 840 pounds in southern Alberta sold for $116 last week, which was steady with values earlier in November. Limited discounts were shown for Manitoba cattle as 775-lb. steers brought back $115 in the central […] Read more

Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada held firm near 10-year highs over the last week. Exotic yearling steers weighing 880 pounds brought back $116 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta. Calf prices also remain near historical highs as age-verified black Angus steers weighing 600 lbs. touched $128/cwt. There is an obvious opportunity here for cow-calf […] Read more

Black steers in central Alberta weighing 550 pounds have sold for just over $130 per hundredweight (cwt) while 515-pound steers reached $142. Presorted red steers averaging 420 pounds touched $155/cwt. Sharply higher fed cattle values were quickly passed onto the feeder market, as local auctions reported prices $2 to $4 higher than a week earlier. […] Read more

Calf prices in Western Canada were $2 to $4 higher over the past week, with 600-pound steers bringing back $129 per hundredweight (cwt). We also saw heaver yearlings weighing 950 pounds selling for $107/cwt, about $2/cwt above week-ago levels. We are seeing a significant premium in Western Canada over central U.S. prices as basis levels […] Read more

Calf prices in Western Canada were $1 to $2 higher than week-ago levels but heavier replacement cattle and late blooming yearlings were $2 to $3 weaker. Feedlot buying interest remains strong and there seem to be limited discounts for unweaned calves or regular-run cattle. Feeder cattle futures were down sharply on Friday as corn futures […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle were $2 to $3 higher on average in comparison to week-ago levels. Steers weighing just over 900 pounds brought back $106 in central Alberta while similar prices were Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Buying interest for calves was also strong, with 6-weight steers selling for over $125 in southern Alberta. Managers in Feedlot […] Read more

U.S. yearling prices were $3-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower last week as Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) corn futures reached their highest levels in two years. U.S. calves were moving $3-$7/cwt lower amidst lower demand and increasing head counts. Buying interest for replacement cattle has subsided, with feeding margins under pressure and deferred live cattle […] Read more

U.S. feeder values for weaned calves and yearlings were $3 to $5 lower last week due to stronger feedgrain values. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) corn futures made new highs last week, resulting in lower bids for replacement cattle, despite the strength in the deferred live cattle futures. Canadian prices held values, with 800-pound steers […] Read more

Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady with week-ago levels with strong feedlot demand noted for heavier yearlings. The recent CanFax Alberta and Saskatchewan cattle on feed report showed feedlot supplies at four-year lows. Feedlots are running at below normal capacity for this time of year and enthusiasm for replacements has stayed strong, despite […] Read more