Jerry Klassen

Western Canadian auction barns have been rather quiet so far this summer. Smaller groups of feeder cattle have come up for sale which have been discounted from the regular market structure earlier in spring. Feedlot margins have been hovering near break-even, which is a positive signal, and the market is starting to focus on the […] Read more

Auction barns across Western Canada were extremely quiet last week, with many locations in holiday mode for the next couple weeks. Pastures remain in optimal conditions, given the recent rains and warm temperatures, while forage crops look very promising. Most feedlots are content with numbers and very current with production; at the same time, Alberta’s […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower in comparison to seven days earlier, depending on the weight category. Alberta packers were buying slaughter steers in the range of $118-$122/cwt and this volatility resulted in softer bids for heavier replacements. Favourable pasture and forage conditions underpinned the market for feeders […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady with week-ago levels, with auction barns experiencing lower volumes. The cow-calf producer has hopes of higher prices later in summer, and with plentiful forage supplies and favourable pasture conditions, there is little incentive to move cattle to auction. Backgrounding operators have also finished liquidating fall-placed calves, resulting […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average last week as Alberta fed cattle prices surged by $4/cwt, reaching $123.50. Feedlot margins are now clearly in positive territory for the first time since last summer and there appears to be renewed enthusiasm moving forward. Strength in wholesale […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as lower volumes were noted at all auction yards. The farmer/cattle producer was busy seeding and pasture conditions remain favourable across the Prairies. Major feedlot operators are content with current inventories into the summer months, given the feedgrain and margin uncertainty. Alberta packers bought fed […] Read more