(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Strong demand drives yearlings higher

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 higher, with quality packages advancing $4-$6. Feedlot operators shrugged off the weaker live cattle futures as feed grain prices came under pressure. Cattle brokers were carrying a full deck of orders, which allowed for limited slippage. Feedlots are anxious to secure ownership early in the […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market lacks demand in new tax year

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle traded $8-$10 lower while U.S. prices were also down $5-$10 from week-ago levels. The feeder market appeared to short-circuit after I thought the market was charged to move higher in last week’s report. Feedlot operators and cattle feeders saturated their demand prior to the New Year and […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market ends 2017 on positive tone

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to as much as $6 higher. Moderate to stronger buying interest was noted across the Prairies. Once again, feedlot operators were fairly aggressive on quality yearling packages; semi-weaned and weaned calves were a solid $3-$5 higher while unweaned lighter calves experienced minimal price appreciation. […] Read more






(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market anticipates higher feed grain prices

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $5 higher. Across the prairies, strong demand was noted on limited offerings. Most auction barns are gearing up for major sales over the next couple weeks; however, it appears that a few ranchers were testing the waters and the results were quite surprising. Feedlot operators […] Read more



Understanding feeder cattle risk: Pt. 1

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: A hedging program can remove some of the uncertainty

In the January 24 Grainews issue, I explained the feeder cattle futures market and the simple mechanics of hedging feeder cattle. In this column, I want to take one step further and discuss the financial risk associated with backgrounding or selling feeder cattle. Read more: Important to understand the futures Read more: Producers hit with […] Read more