calf in a pen

A pound is a pound, right?

Some simple changes in production and management can add extra value to cattle

Over the past year we’ve had unparalleled high prices in the beef industry, but with the last few months representing one of the largest price declines in the history of the industry. Yet prices are still relatively profitable for the cow-calf industry. Not so for cattle feeders, who have just undergone a period of historic […] Read more

Beef market will get worse, before it gets better

Over-supply and low demand – a deadly combination

Fed and feeder cattle markets have been trending lower throughout the fall and early winter as the market contends with growing beef supplies and lacklustre demand. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $158 to $160 in mid-December while pen closeout breakeven values are closer to $200. Cold storage stocks of beef […] Read more


Cattle margins struggling amidst lower prices

Cattle margins struggling amidst lower prices

Market Update with Jerry Klassen

Western Canadian fed and feeder cattle prices have experienced severe volatility over the past month and it appears that this price behaviour will continue over the winter. While the market continues to factor in growing beef supplies, retail and restaurant demand remains uncertain. Alberta packers have been buying fed cattle in the range of $170 […] Read more

No bright lights ahead in beef market

Market Update with Jerry Klassen

The fed and feeder cattle market have many fundamental factors to digest over the next few months. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle near $169 in late October, which is down from the late spring highs of $204. Breakeven values on pen closeouts are in the range of $195 to $198 so in the best-case […] Read more


Feedlots looking at negative margins this fall

Feedlots looking at negative margins this fall

Market update with Jerry Klassen

Fed and feeder cattle prices have come under pressure over the past couple weeks as the market anticipates growing beef, pork and poultry supplies. The cattle complex is in a transition stage from contraction to expansion while pork and poultry have experienced production increases throughout 2015. The demand picture has also turned softer. Canada is […] Read more

Time will tell if the Aussie beef market maintains its strength.

Optimism stoked the Australian cattle market

Indicators favoured a strong cattle market in Australia but time will tell if strength will be maintained

Earlier this year I participated in a webinar sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia and came away with some incredible optimism and understanding more clearly why the Australian cattle frenzy is continuing. The stars are indeed lining up in 2015 for Australian cattle producers and the new record prices set on a daily basis from […] Read more