For the week ending April 26, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier.

Klassen: Higher packer bids enhance feeder complex

Tariffs decrease disposable income and lower beef demand
The Markets: The unknown question is, how long could it be until demand affects beef pricing?
Tariffs lower standard of living, and for beef producers lower consumer spending will eventually mean less demand and lower prices.

Klassen: Fall fed cattle supply concerns strengthen feeder complex
For the week ending April 19, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to $3 above week-ago levels. Many auction barns did not have sales due to Good Friday but sale volumes were also smaller at active locations.

Klassen: Feeder market returns to historical highs
For the week ending April 12, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded stead to as much as $10 higher compared to seven days earlier. The market has fully recovered from U.S. tariff uncertainty. Strength in the fed cattle market and healthy feeding margins continue drive replacement prices upward.

Klassen: Feeder market experiences volatility during U.S. tariff week
During the week ending April 5, the feeder market felt sluggish early in the week. Prices were a bit softer on Monday and by Wednesday morning, quoted values were $10 to as much $20 below week ago levels. After making weekly lows Wednesday, prices fully recovered to the previous week’s levels.

Cattle markets try to adjust to tariffs
The Markets: There continue to be tight supplies for cattle that are ready to market, keeping prices high
There continue to be tight supplies for cattle that are ready to market, keeping prices high, despite tariff uncertainly in North America, analyst Jerry Klassen says.

Klassen: Healthy feedlot margins supports feeder complex
For the week ending March 29, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5/cwt lower to $5/cwt higher compared to seven days earlier. The price structure was largely determined by the crowd's mindset regarding potential U.S. tariffs.

Klassen: Feeder cattle follow live cattle futures higher
For the week ending March 22, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average. Higher quality strings under 600 pounds traded $5 to as much as $10 higher in some cases but the lighter weight categories were quite variable across the Prairies.

U.S. cattle herd contraction coming to an end
The Markets: Watch for calf prices to start to decline in 2026
Beef calf price should continue to be strong in 2025, but a growing cow herd could mean lower prices in 2026.

Klassen: Feeder cattle market jumps back to historical highs
For the week ending March 15, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $8-$12 higher compared to seven days earlier. Prices fully recovered from the prior week with values quoted at or near historical highs. Finishing feedlots were aggressive across all weight categories due to strength in the nearby and deferred live cattle futures. Once again, […] Read more