Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight higher on average in comparison to week-ago levels. Buyers appeared to be more aggressive for cattle over 800 pounds. A large group of tan/white Charolais steers averaging 935 pounds sold for $141/cwt west of Edmonton, which is a record high for this weight category; […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle climb continues
Klassen: Feeder cattle ratchet higher
Feeder cattle in Western Canada were $2-$3 per hundredweight higher for the second week in a row. Strength in the deferred live cattle futures, along with stronger beef wholesale prices, set a positive tone to the feeder market. In central Alberta, a small group of red Angus-cross steers weighing 608 pounds sold for $170/cwt; large-frame […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle climb starts again
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to $3 per hundredweight higher last week after stagnating in the first half of February. A small group of medium-flesh Angus-cross steers averaging 548 pounds reached over $180/cwt at a presort sale in central Alberta. A large group of exotic steers weighing 855 pounds sold for $141 […] Read more
Klassen: Mixed tone for feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle were steady to $2 per hundredweight weaker while heavier feeder cattle were down $2-$4/cwt. Fed cattle in Alberta sold for $112/cwt, also down $2 from the previous week, which spilled over into shortkeep replacement cattle. Larger groups of quality cattle continue to hold value but buyers are more willing to discount […] Read more
Klassen: Unstable market for West’s feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 per hundredweight lower to $2 per hundredweight higher in comparison to a week earlier. Sellers were passing on record-high bids for heavier-weight feeder cattle, which is usually a signal that the market is due for a correction. Angus-cross light-flesh steers averaging 880 pounds sold for $141 in central […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle up $2-$3/cwt in West
Light-weight feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were up $3-$5 per hundredweight on average last week while heavier feeders were up $2-$3/cwt. October and December live cattle futures made new contract highs, reaching over $131/cwt, which enhanced buying enthusiasm in the feeder complex. Large-frame age-verified Charolais-cross steers weighing 497 pounds sold for $212/cwt at a […] Read more
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder cattle surge higher
Western Canadian feeder cattle under 600 pounds were up $8-$10 per hundredweight (cwt) this past week. A small group of exotic steers averaging 570 pounds sold for $170/cwt in west-central Alberta; black Angus-cross steers averaging 535 pounds touched $185/cwt in the same region. Heavier feeders were averaging $5-$8/cwt higher over week-ago levels. A mixed batch […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker feedgrains support feeder cattle
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $2 lower to $3 higher per hundredweight (cwt) last week, with many factors influencing the market. In central Alberta, Simmental steers weighing 429 pounds sold for $191/cwt; Charolais-cross steers averaging 684 pounds sold for $151/cwt in the same region. Mixed exotic cross steers weighing 850 pounds traded at […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle edge higher
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher during the first week of 2012. There is a market tendency for feeder prices to jump after the holiday season and this year was no exception. Small, non-feature groups of feeder cattle were noted at most auction barns, which made buyers […] Read more

Klassen: Stronger feeder prices expected
The last week of 2011 was quiet with most auction barns closed for the holiday season. Feeding conditions remain favourable and margins look positive through January, which should provide a healthy environment moving forward. The industry is expecting stronger feeder prices over the next month as fed cattle have a tendency to percolate higher through […] Read more