For the week ending December 28, there were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada; however, that didn’t stop cattle producers from emailing or calling me over the holidays inquiring about market direction. I thought it would be an opportune time to discuss a couple factors that will influence the market direction over the next couple of months.
Klassen: Feeder market has many factors to digest in 2025
Klassen: Feeder market finishes 2024 on strong tone
For the week ending December 21, Western Canadian backgrounded cattle and heavier calves were unchanged to $5 lower on average. Calves in the 600-800 pound range were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 pounds were steady to $10 higher.
Klassen: Feeder market consolidates at higher levels
The market continues to digest the U.S. border closure to Mexican feeder cattle, which is drawing more U.S. demand towards Western Canada. Auction market volumes are declining at this time of year. The quality of cattle was sub-par in some regions which caused prices to be quite variable.
Klassen: Feeder market continues to surge higher
For the week ending December 7, Western Canadian feeder cattle weighing 700 pounds plus traded $10 to $20 higher compared to seven days earlier. Calves under 700 pounds were up $8 to $10 on average. The markets in Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan were premium to Alberta in the heavier categories due to stronger U.S. and Ontario buying interest.
Klassen: Canadian feeder market jumps on trade disruptions
For the week ending November 29, feeder cattle market reports from Manitoba had prices up $20-$40/cwt from week-ago levels. Prices in Saskatchewan and Alberta were up $10 to $20 on average. The market was hard to define this past week with a wide range prices across Western Canada for similar quality and weight cattle.
Feeder market trades at or near historical highs
The Markets: Larger supplies by numbers and weight will mean more beef supply year over year
During the last week of October, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $403-$408 per hundredweight ($242-$245/cwt on a live basis). This was unchanged from a month earlier. Breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $250-$255/cwt, so margins are in negative territory for the time being. The […] Read more
Klassen: Upward momentum continues for feeder cattle prices
For the week ending November 23, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to $6 higher with some quality heifer packages up as much as $10 compared to seven days earlier.
Klassen: Feeder market climbs another step
For the week ending November 16, Western Canadian calves over 650 pounds were up $3-$6/cwt compared to seven days earlier. Calves under 650 pounds traded $4/cwt to as much as $10/cwt higher.
Klassen: Strong demand continues to sustain feeder market
The weaker Canadian dollar has enhanced the feeding margin structure on incoming replacement calves and this translated into stronger values on premium genetic packages. Finishing feedlot operators in Alberta and Ontario were fairly aggressive in Manitoba and Saskatchewan markets.
Klassen: Feeder market holds at higher levels
For the week ending November 2, Western Canadian yearling and calf markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Strong demand continues to support the feeder complex at historical high prices.
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