(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices climbing

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were trading $5-$7 above week-ago levels, with higher-quality cattle trading as much as $10 higher. It’s difficult to quarrel with one’s bread and butter; feedlot margins are now in positive territory and cattle feeders are keen on ownership with the positive outlook into the March timeframe. Feature presort calf sales […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle jump on positive outlook

Average prices for steer and heifer calves jumped $8-$10 this past week with some buyers reporting values as much as $15 above week-ago levels. Feedlot operators could feel it in their bones earlier in November and there were no strings attached on orders flowing across the Prairies. Favourable weather reinforced the narrow premium of weaned […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Strong demand underpins feeder market

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 above week-ago levels; however, weaned lower-flesh calves were $3 to as much as $6 higher. Southern Alberta calf sales are winding down while other regions are just getting started. This resulted in surreptitious behaviour from Lethbridge-area feedlot operators. Orders stretched across the Prairies, like a slow-moving […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Feeder cattle markets establish fundamental equilibrium

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels as most auction barns held featured or pre-sort calf sales. However, premiums of $3 to as much as $8 were noted on pre-conditioned, quality-weaned replacements. Time in the market is more important than timing the market; longer term risk adverse feeding reinforced the fact […] Read more







(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences mixed tone

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced a diverse tone across the Prairies, with notable buying interest surfacing on yearlings. Compared to seven days earlier, prices for yearlings in southern Alberta were $5-$7 higher on average, as feedlots focused on purchasing local cattle. In southern Alberta, larger-frame lower-flesh black steers weighing 900 lbs. were quoted at […] Read more