Jerry Klassen

Alberta feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week while values in the eastern Prairies were slightly softer. Buying interest for grass cattle was noted at many auction markets which caused lighter feeders to trade with a stronger tone. The cattle complex seems to be suffering from sluggish consumer spending […] Read more

U.S. fed cattle prices jumped $5 to $6 pre hundredweight (cwt) last week, reaching $129 in the northern Plains, which supported the Canadian feeder market. The Alberta slaughter market was not defined, with light volumes trading, but there was anticipation that values could jump by a similar amount next week, especially with the weaker Canadian […] Read more

Weaker U.S. cattle prices and softer Alberta packer bids weighed on western Canadian feeder cattle values last week. Feedlot buying interest has been tempered as margins continue to float in various levels of red ink. Barley prices remain firm and lower live cattle futures suggest that this environment will be ongoing into the summer months. […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower last week. Negative feeding margins appear to be the largest factor weighing on the feeder market. Optimism for fed cattle prices for the April-through-June period has also waned, with live cattle futures $7 to $8 off contract highs. There is potential for […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were generally steady with values earlier in January as buying interest for grass cattle started to surface last week. Pasture conditions are expected to be favourable come spring, and demand from the smaller farmer-cattle producer supported prices for lighter weight cattle. The market for heavier replacement cattle felt sluggish, with […] Read more

I usually discuss weekly market activity regarding the feeder cattle market but cow-calf producers should sometimes take a step back and look at the macro environment for a longer-term perspective. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cattle inventory report showed the 2012 calf crop down three per cent from 2011. Beef cows that have calved as […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady for yearlings, while lighter-weight cattle appeared to be slightly softer this week. Fed cattle were under pressure due to weaker wholesale beef prices. Retail movement for higher-end cuts appears to have slowed in January while movement for ground beef and lower-quality steaks has actually improved. Feedlot margins are […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to as much as $4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower by the end of the week as the U.S. market came under severe pressure. Stronger corn values, and the announced closing of the Cargill beef slaughter plant at Plainview, Texas set a negative tone across North American feeder cattle […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week but firm feedgrain values tempered the upside potential. Local auction market volumes were rather light in post-holiday mode. The U.S. market continued to show further strength, trading $3-$5/cwt higher on average in the Midwest. Heavier replacement cattle were leading the […] Read more