(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling prices consolidate, calf values soften

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; however, calves weighing 500 to 700 lbs. were $2-$4 lower. Featherlight bawlers under 500 lbs. were down $6-$8 from seven days earlier. Strong feedlot buying interest supported quality groups of yearlings. Feed barley prices were down $5-$10 per tonne from last week while the […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Canola, wheat acres in opposite trends before StatsCan report

'Every commodity was offering options that were profitable'

MarketsFarm — Just days prior to Statistics Canada issuing its latest survey-based crop acreage report on Tuesday next week, analysts are estimating a rise in canola acres at the expense of wheat. “Coming through the winter and towards spring seeding, we were looking at canola prices that were at their highest levels of all time,” […] Read more






(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Rains, lower demand pressure grain bids

Old-crop demand 'not that strong anymore'

MarketsFarm — With feedlots across Western Canada already stocked up on feed barley and wheat for their animals, reduced demand for those crops and recent wet weather have left high-delivered bids mixed. According to Prairie Ag Hotwire data from Wednesday, high-delivered bids for feed barley remained steady in Saskatchewan at $6 per bushel, went down […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm

Canada's feeder exports down off year-ago levels

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 higher on average. Strength was noted in the mid-weight categories as lighter calves and yearlings (900 pounds-plus) were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots were dominant buyers, with little demand surfacing for grassers. Feeding margins are in positive territory and recent rains have enhance […] Read more



Barley. (Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Canada’s barley exports show no signs of slowing

MarketsFarm — Tight Canadian barley supplies, due in part to surging export demand, have kept feed grain bids well supported in the Prairies over the past few months. The cupboards, however, are not quite bare, with weekly Canadian barley exports hitting their second-highest level of the crop-year-to-date. Canada exported 175,500 tonnes of barley during the […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market heating up

Wholesale beef prices climbing

Compared to last week, quality yearling packages were $2-$5 higher while calf values were unchanged to $2 higher. A surge in buying interest surfaced for yearlings last week as fed cattle prices continue to trade near 52-week highs. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $162-$165 delivered and breakeven pen closeouts are […] Read more