As of the third week of September, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $180-$183/cwt delivered. Alberta finished cattle prices were rather flat throughout September. For March and April of 2023, feedlot operators have been able to forward-contract fed cattle on a dressed basis at $345/cwt delivered which […] Read more
Cattle market digesting many variables
Large Prairie barley crop in 2022, but big shipments of feed to China
Klassen: Uncertain fed cattle market weighs on feeder cattle
U.S. feeder demand seen relatively sluggish
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings (900 lbs. and over) appeared to trade $6-$8 lower on average; yearlings weighing 800-900 lbs. off grass were unchanged. Backgrounded yearlings were also $6-$8 lower. Mid-weight calves were unchanged but calves under 600 lbs. were $3 to as much as $10 lower in some cases. Feedlot operators pulled […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger barley prices limit upside for feeder cattle complex
Feedlot operators make barley purchases, price feeder cattle accordingly
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 higher to as much as $5 lower. A softer tone was noted on yearlings in the eastern Prairie regions. Calf prices were steady to $4 lower on average compared to seven days earlier. Quality yearling packages fresh off grass held value but backgrounded heavier replacements […] Read more
Klassen: Demand fears cause feeder cattle market volatility
Barley values continue upward
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 higher to as much as $6 lower. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions while the market was softer in Alberta. Western Canadian calves were extremely volatile, trading $5 higher to as much as $10 lower in some cases. It’s not uncommon for markets […] Read more
Klassen: Steady demand underpins feeder cattle complex
Compared to last week, Alberta yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; however, 800-pound-plus cattle in Manitoba and Saskatchewan appeared to trade $4-$6 higher. Yearling prices across the Prairies are now relatively even with no freight discounts from major southern Alberta markets. Calf markets are becoming more defined with larger volumes on offer. […] Read more
Feeder cattle numbers decline
Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Beef demand remains strong
During the last week of August, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $180-$181/cwt delivered, up $7-$8/cwt from 30 days earlier. U.S. and Canadian beef production has been running above a year ago, and beef demand has exceeded earlier projections. Inflation pressures on both sides of the border […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker Canadian dollar supports feeder market
Weather optimal for bringing in fresh replacements
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded steady to $2 higher on average while calves traded $2 higher to $4 lower. The calf market was hard to define due to limited numbers while larger supplies of yearlings were on offer in Manitoba this past week. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed […] Read more
Klassen: April live cattle futures pull nearby cash feeder market higher
More feedlots switching back to barley
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $3 higher on average. Quality yearling packages of larger volume traded $2-$3 above week-ago levels. The calf market is becoming more defined. Larger calf volumes were on offer in Saskatchewan and Manitoba but smaller numbers were noted in Alberta. Therefore, we can’t accurately compare […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market ratchets higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices markets traded $2-$5 higher on average. Calves were quite variable. This was the first week when larger groups of calves were featured on the internet sales. Prices on the internet appeared to be significantly stronger than smaller groups under 10 head moving through auction rings. Feedlot operators […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder markets digest StatCan data
Barley crop expected up 34 per cent on year
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher. Yearling prices have strengthened by $8-$10 over the past four weeks. Calf values were relatively unchanged but the market was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying on a dressed basis from $300 to $302 delivered, up $1-$2 […] Read more
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