(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market on soft slope

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower on average while calves traded steady to as much as $4 lower in certain regions; calves under 550 pounds were quoted $3-$6 below week-ago levels. Barley and wheat prices continue to percolate higher, causing a defensive sentiment amongst buyers. Southern Alberta and […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: U.S. corn filling Canadian feed shortages

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm – As winter approaches, corn is making up a greater appearance in feed channels, supplanting barley and wheat in the process. “In Western Canada, the yields were significantly lower than average. So we’re importing a lot of feed into Western Canada, mostly corn and corn with DDGs (dried distillers’ grains),” said Allen Pirness, manager […] Read more





(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market grinds lower

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were down $2-$5 while calves dropped by $3 to as much as $8. We’re now seeing some medium-quality calves weighing around 550 lbs. sell under the psychological $200 level in central Alberta. The market is lacking demand. Feedlot inventories are running 33 per cent above the five-year […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Canada’s small, high-protein malt barley crop poses challenges

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — The hot and dry 2021 growing season cut significantly into Canada’s barley production, with the weather also leading to higher protein levels for what was harvested. “It will be an extremely tight and difficult year for the malt processors and ultimately for the brewers as well,” said Peter Watts, managing director of the […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Feds tighten forecast for wheat carryout

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Canadian wheat carryout for the 2021-22 crop year will be even tighter than earlier forecasts, according to updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released Wednesday. The October report included only minor adjustments for most crops, with the most notable change from September being a 500,000-tonne reduction in projected wheat ending […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market reflects softer sentiment

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 lower; calves over 700 lbs. appeared to hold value; calves weighing less than 700 lbs. were down $3 to as much as $5. The yearling run is basically finished. Ontario buying interest was supportive in the eastern Prairie regions due to the bumper corn crop; […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Demand for feeder cattle eases

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $3-$5; calves traded $2-$6 below week-ago levels. The market has come under pressure for three main reasons. Cattle on feed inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are 36 per cent above the five-year average. Many feedlots are comfortable with ownership levels. The drought caused about 150,000 […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Shortages leading to price increases

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Prices for feed grains are swinging higher because of shortages, according to Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities Ltd. in Lethbridge. “One thing we are sure of is we are running out of inventory, barley for sure, and we’re 11 months away from new crop,” he said. This year’s severe drought and excessive heat […] Read more