For the week ending April 30, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Yearlings traded $8 lower as much as $5 higher. Severe discounts were noted on fleshier cattle; some auction barns reported the bulk of cattle over 800 pounds were medium to heavier flesh. Deferred live cattle futures were under pressure but the […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot demand up prior to seasonal rally
Market for calves 'boiling hot' in Manitoba
What to make of the Cattle on Feed report
Market Update with Jerry Klassen: An Economics 101 look at what the numbers are really telling us
The most recent USDA Cattle on Feed report released in January showed the total number at the beginning of the year at 12.037 million head, up one per cent from Jan. 1, 2021. Initial media and analytical reports were calling the report bearish. This is the second-highest Jan. 1 inventory since the series began in […] Read more
Klassen: Adverse weather tempers feeder cattle market
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. Southern Alberta experienced severe wind and dust storms last week which softened buying interest from a large portion of feedlot operators. At the same time, grass conditions are quite variable across the Prairies despite the recent precipitation. Cooler temperatures […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices soften but calves drop sharply
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices unchanged to $4 lower on average while calves were down $4 to as much as $8 in some cases. The steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$3 for yearlings and $3-$6 for calves. Adverse weather set a negative tone and the market appeared to incorporate a risk […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlots value feeders on finished cattle price projections
Compared to the week ending March 2, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average. Mid-weight replacements in the range of 650-800 lbs. were down $8-$12. Steer calves under 650 lbs. traded steady to $5 lower. Heifer calves under 650 lbs. were also down $8-$12. The market was hard to define for heifer calves […] Read more
Cattle market contends with softer demand and rising grain prices
Market Update with Jerry Klassen: As Russia and Ukraine ban grain exports, Canada may become a major supplier in some markets
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range $272-$275 during the second week of March, relatively unchanged from 30 days earlier. Live bids were reported at $161 f.o.b. the feedlot in Alberta. The Alberta cash trade continues to trade at a $13-14 discount to the U.S. However, this spread had […] Read more
Klassen: Steady fed cattle market supports feeder complex
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average while calves were steady to as much as $5 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $273-$275 delivered; live prices were quoted at $161 f.o.b. the feedlot. There is a severe backlog of market-ready […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market showing strength in deferred positions
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average while calves traded steady to $4 lower. Outside central Alberta, the steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$4. Strength in corn futures contributed to the defensive tone. Feedlot operators buying hand-to-mouth have been caught off guard with the recent jump in feed […] Read more
Stats Can survey updates the beef numbers
Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Drought impact was less than expected, but what will the war in Europe mean to beef markets?
Feeder cattle prices across Western Canada have been quite volatile due to geopolitical issues. I’ve received many calls from cow-calf producers and backgrounding operators regarding the timing of feeder cattle sales. Prices have varied significantly from week to week. For example, the price of 600-pound steers in Alberta varied recently by as much as $15 […] Read more
Klassen: Deferred live cattle futures underpin feeder cattle prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Major feedlot operations in Alberta continue to carry large numbers of market-ready cattle. The backlog of fed cattle appears to be worse than earlier anticipated. Yearlings were featured at auction barns in the main feeding regions of Alberta. Feedlot […] Read more
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