Finishers & Production Tips

Klassen: Feeder market digesting lower beef demand

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 17, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $12-$18; mid-weight calves were down $10 to as much as $15 while calves under 550 lbs. were down $4-$8. The market is incorporating a risk discount due to uncertainty in beef demand for the second and third quarters of 2020. Feedlot margins are in negative […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Extreme variability characterizes feeder market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 10, 2020

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were extremely variable over the past week which made the market hard to define. Compared to last week, yearling prices were quoted $2 to as much $6 lower while calves traded $2 lower as much as $5 higher. While some auction crowds were caught up with the negative news coverage, […] Read more

An image created by Nexu Science Communication, together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus, the type of virus linked to COVID-19. (Nexu Science Communication via Reuters)

Beef Cattle, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Coronavirus fears weigh on feeder markets

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 3, 2020

Western Canadian feeder prices were not immune to the meltdown of financial and commodity markets last week. Buyers appeared to incorporate a risk discount due to uncertainty in beef demand over the next few months. Compared to last week, larger groups of quality yearlings traded $3-$5 lower while smaller packages were down $4 to as […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Calves remain firm while yearlings falter

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News February 25, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5 lower while calves and grassers traded within $5 on either side of unchanged. Calves were extremely variable with similar weight cattle sometimes trading $6-$8 apart at the same sale. Supplies of calves coming on the market appear to be lower than last year. This may […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Calf prices divorce from yearling markets

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News February 18, 2020

Compared to last week, yearling prices were steady to as much as $4 lower depending on the region in Western Canada. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at an average price of $252 on a dressed basis, down $6-$8 from last week and down about $20 from the last week of January. Weakness in fed […] Read more

Taste-testing during a Canadian Beef Advantage Seminar in Shanghai in 2013. (Canada Beef via YouTube)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Uncertain beef demand weighs on feeder market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News February 11, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearling and heavier calves were down $2-$4 on average. The calf market was hard to define; Alberta markets traded $3 lower to $4 higher but notable strength was evident in Saskatchewan and Manitoba where values were steady to $4 higher. Favourable weather contributed to higher auction market […] Read more

CME June 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market remains under pressure

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News February 4, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 lower in Alberta while prices eroded by $2-$5 in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Noticeable weakness was evident in yearling prices, while grass cattle experienced limited slippage. Backgrounding operators are starting to liquidate fall-placed calves. Quality was quite variable, with fleshier cattle experiencing sharper […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market lacks buying interest

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News January 29, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$5 lower on average. Values in Alberta were relatively unchanged but markets in the eastern Prairie regions appeared to trade $4 to as much as $6 below week-ago levels. Alberta yearlings were relatively unchanged, but noticeable slippage was noted in the non-major feeding regions. Feedlots […] Read more

CME May 2020 feeder cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Beef Cattle, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Large feedlot inventories lower feeder demand

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News January 21, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged and mid-weight feeders (600-850 lbs.) were steady to $2 lower, but calves under 600 lbs. were unchanged to as much as $10 lower. Prices were quite variable across the Prairies, which made the market hard to define. The market appeared […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market starts 2020 on steady tone

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News January 14, 2020

Compared to last week, short-keep replacement cattle and feeders in the mid-weight categories were steady to $3 lower on average; feeder cattle under 600 lbs. traded $2 lower to as much as $5 higher. Featherlight calves remain strong trading at similar levels to late December. Most auction markets resumed their regular sales schedules last week. […] Read more

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Finishers

Klassen: Feeder market digesting lower beef demand

Klassen: Extreme variability characterizes feeder market

Klassen: Coronavirus fears weigh on feeder markets

Klassen: Calves remain firm while yearlings falter

Klassen: Calf prices divorce from yearling markets

Klassen: Uncertain beef demand weighs on feeder market

Klassen: Feeder market remains under pressure

Klassen: Feeder market lacks buying interest

Klassen: Large feedlot inventories lower feeder demand

Klassen: Feeder market starts 2020 on steady tone

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