Jerry Klassen

Southern Alberta feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 higher on average last week. However, the market was uneven in other areas of Western Canada, trading steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower. The yearling run is coming to a close as feedlots step forward more aggressively for weaned calves. Despite the softer futures for […] Read more

Buyers are starting to step forward more aggressively for replacement cattle as auction market volumes increase in line with the seasonal tendency. The market is realizing buying interest from the small-farmer backgrounding operator; major feedlot operators continue to be stepping forward despite higher barley prices. Cash barley bids reached $280 per tonne last week, up […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower on average compared to week-ago levels with larger volume of calves coming on stream. Deferred live cattle futures were lower and weaker feedlot margins are the main factors pressuring feeder cattle prices in the short term. Barley prices in southern Alberta jumped […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as auction markets experienced larger volumes with more yearlings coming on stream. Major feeding operations shrugged off the E. coli media hype while the smaller feedlot background operator tended to shy away from the market. Fed cattle prices remain under pressure and feedlot margins are […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $1 to $3 lower on average across Western Canada. The E. coli-related beef recall, along with the temporary closure of the XL Foods plant at Brooks, Alta., has set a negative tone to fed and feeder cattle prices. Fed cattle prices dropped to $106 per hundredweight (cwt) in Alberta […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels while certain classes of replacement cattle were $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower. Auction market volumes are increasing and cattle buyers are starting to be more demanding with feedlot margins under pressure. Marginal discounts were noted on cattle with no special features. Caution was further granted […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight higher last week. The main yearling run has been delayed by approximately three weeks because of favourable pasture conditions and plentiful forage. Therefore, feedlot operators are bidding more aggressively for the smaller available supplies. Lighter-weight feeder cattle had a mixed tone. The grain harvest […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 to $4 per hundredweight (cwt) higher than week-ago levels. Auction markets are starting to experience larger volumes and feedlots are running with seasonally low numbers. Feedlot managers are stepping forward more aggressively with the deferred feeder and live cattle futures pointing to higher prices into the fall period. […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as the yearling run moves into full gear. Feedlot managers continue to step forward quite aggressively, with many lots running less than 50 per cent capacity. Lighter weight calves were actually up $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) on average due to strength in the deferred live […] Read more