Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. Small groups of various quality characterized sale volumes. There were a few packages of backgrounded yearlings that sold at decent levels. Finishing feedlots were fairly aggressive on groups in the 700- to 800-lb. category. Higher flesh levels have become […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes after December surge
Klassen: Higher fed cattle prices pull up feeder market
Compared to last week, replacement cattle over 800 lbs. traded $10-$15 higher; some quality packages were up $20 from week-ago levels. Feeder cattle weighing 600-800 lbs. traded $4-$8 higher; calves under 600 lbs. were up $6-$10 on average, with some packages in Alberta up as much as $15 from last week. Strength in the fed […] Read more
More Prairie cattle finished sooner this year
Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Prices may be down in early 2022 but way up by next fall
As of mid-November, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $260-$263 delivered on a dressed basis. Prices FOB the feedlot in southern Alberta were quoted at $154 on a live basis. Prices are marginally lower than the October average because market-ready supplies in Alberta and Saskatchewan are sharply higher than a year […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes
Cow-calf producers selling sooner than normal
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $275 delivered; the Alberta fed market has rallied $10-$12 over the past couple weeks. Secondly, U.S. feeder cattle prices have also rallied US$10-US$12 during the same time frame […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market making seasonal lows
Surge of Canadian cattle exports expected
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets were down $2-$4 on average. Prices for feeder cattle in the eastern Prairie regions were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier; however, values in Alberta and western Saskatchewan were down $4 to as much as $8 in some cases. This variation made the market hard to define. […] Read more
Klassen: Fed cattle prices down on the week
Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were down $4 to $6 on average. Sub quality feeders traded as much as $8 below week ago levels. The market was hard to define with wide price ranges on similar weight feeders within a short distance. Southern Alberta is contending with adverse pen conditions as […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market continues downward slide
Prairies' snowstorm leads to risk discount
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower; calves traded $2-$4 below week-ago levels. Saskatchewan and Manitoba experienced their first major snowstorm of the season last week. The market tends to incorporate a risk discount for adverse weather as buyers factor in higher death loss. Also, major feedlot operators believe […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market on soft slope
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower on average while calves traded steady to as much as $4 lower in certain regions; calves under 550 pounds were quoted $3-$6 below week-ago levels. Barley and wheat prices continue to percolate higher, causing a defensive sentiment amongst buyers. Southern Alberta and […] Read more
Understanding the feeder cattle market
Market Update: A major rally in the calf market is expected next spring
I’ve received many inquiries from producers about the feeder cattle market. Many cow-calf operators don’t understand the overall supply and demand factors for analyzing the feeder market. Sometimes I hear comments such as “just because there is more supply, why should the price go down?” Secondly, these producers often complain that there is not enough […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market continues on downward trend
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling markets dropped $2 to $4 while calf prices sank $2 to as much as $6 on average. Rising feed grain prices set a negative tone. Adverse weather also contributed to lower bids, especially in the lighter weight categories. Most auction barns had feature calf sales this past week. […] Read more