
Author Archives

Klassen: Feeder market remains under pressure
Pre-election commodity trading in 'risk-off' mode
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$5 lower on average; calves under 650 lbs. appeared to trade $3-$8 lower with significant pressure on the weight category between 550 and 650 lbs. Moderate demand surfaced on quality yearlings but major operations appeared to back away from the cattle in the heavier weight […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market grinds lower
'Is there no grain in this country?'
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, prices for western Canadian yearlings weighing over 900 lbs. were down $4-$8 on average; yearlings weighing between 800-900 lbs. were down $2-$4; calves under 800 lbs. were down $8-$12, with the exception of Manitoba, where lighter calves traded $3-$5 below week-ago levels. Feedlot operators are asking, is there no grain in […] Read more

Klassen: Weather, COVID, feed grains pressure feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 lower on average; calves traded $2 to as much as $6 below week-ago levels. Southern Alberta received its first snowfall of the season last week, which hindered demand for fresh replacements. Feedlots always incorporate a risk discount when the first snowfall of the year materializes, […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market digests rising COVID-19 cases
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded steady to $2 lower on average. The grain harvest is in its final stages and buying interest was noted from the farmer/backgrounding operator. The buying frenzy over yearlings has eased and finishing feedlots were active on all weight categories. Feather-light calves […] Read more

Klassen: Rising feed grains pressure feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$6 lower with some reports showing prices as much as $10 lower. Calves traded $2-$4 below week-ago levels; however, the market will be more defined next week, with many auction barns scheduling feature calf sales in the major feeding areas of Alberta. Feeding margins in the […] Read more

Klassen: Stronger barley prices weigh on feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower; calves weighing 500 to 650 lbs. traded $2-$4 lower while lighter weights under 500 lbs. were steady to $5 higher. There is a distinct price structure for each weight category, depending on the time frame for the finished animal. The overall feeder […] Read more

Klassen: Quality features influence feeder cattle prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian yearling markets have traded in a sideways range over the past couple of weeks; major feedlot operators have been aggressive for 800-pound-plus feeders just off grass because these cattle are most efficient and therefore, most profitable. Grass yearlings were quoted steady to as much as $5 higher this past week. Backgrounded yearlings were […] Read more

Klassen: Yearling market holding value
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded $3 higher to $3 lower on average. The yearling run is well underway and there was no shortage of buying interest. Finishing feedlots were very aggressive on quality packages coming fresh off grass. Once again, buyers focused on local cattle, causing […] Read more

Klassen: Yearling markets mixed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, yearling prices for western Canadian were down $2-$5 on average with the exception of southern Alberta where prices were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots in the Lethbridge area focused on local cattle which contributed to the firmer tone. Outside of Feedlot Alley, weakness in the deferred live cattle futures had buyers on […] Read more

Klassen: Yearling market remains red hot
Barley harvest well underway in southern Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average; however, in southern Alberta, yearlings traded $6-$8 above week-ago levels. A few auction barns in Alberta held their first feature sales of the fall run and buyers showed up with both hands. The quality of yearlings coming off grass is excellent and […] Read more
As Canada’s oldest farm publication, with roots back to 1886, Country Guide is about the business of farming, providing farmers with strategic business thinking. In each issue, enjoy stories on Profiles, Products and People.