Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were unsettled last week, trading $3 higher to $3 lower. However, feedlot operators were eyeing the U.S. market, where softer U.S. fed cattle prices caused feeder cattle prices to drop by $4 to $8. The deteriorating Canadian dollar was mildly supportive, but the uncertainty in the fed cattle set a […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market upward trend stalls
Klassen: Feeder cattle market absorbs larger supplies
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were well supported this past week, with strong buying interest from both larger feedlot operators and the “year-end buyer” custom cattle feeder. Fed cattle prices continue to trade near historical highs, causing feedlots to aggressively liquidate market-ready supplies. Empty pens can have significant opportunity cost in this environment, so there […] Read more
Klassen: Strong demand at feature calf sales
Reading Time: 2 minutes Last week saw many auction barns holding their largest volumes of the year and there was no shortage of buying interest at these feature sales. Major feedlot operators were aggressively shopping because quality and risk sentiment appear to be more favourable this time of year. Calves have withstood adverse winter conditions for a couple of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices at lofty levels
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 higher on average this past week; quality calves were as much as $5 higher in certain cases. Strength in the fed cattle market enhanced feedlot margins for nearby positions which set a positive tone. South of the border, feeder prices were $3 to $5 higher in […] Read more
Klassen: Healthy feeding margins support feeder cattle market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle price volatility continues while average prices remain near historical highs. Fancier minimal-flesh quality calf prices experienced spurts of $5 to $8 above average levels as exotic steers averaging 780 pounds reached up to $246 in central Alberta. Similarly, a small group of quality 750-lb. steers touched $252 at a feature sale […] Read more
Klassen — feeder cattle market reflects mixed tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices reflected a mixed tone over the past week with values $3 to $5 higher on vaccinated preconditioned calves; unvaccinated calves just off their mothers were $3/cwt to as much as $10/cwt lower in some cases. Yearling prices were also quite variable by as much as $10/cwt despite the tightening supply […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets remain firm at feature sales
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced extreme volatility over the past week. Strong buying interest was noted on pre-conditioned calves while unweaned bawlers traded $2-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) lower. Alberta packers showed limited interest for fed cattle due to uncertainty in wholesale beef values. However, by the weekend, fed cattle in the U.S. southern Plains […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle experience volatile price action
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices traded in an volatile fashion this past week due to uncertain economics and beef demand uncertainty. Early in the week, auction barns were reporting values steady with week-ago levels; however, buying enthusiasm started to wane by Wednesday and prices were $3-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) lower by the weekend. Feedlot operators […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump $4-$8
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canada’s calf prices once again jumped $4-$8 per hundredweight (cwt) while yearling prices advanced a solid $2-$4. Strength in the fed cattle market, along with stronger wholesale beef values, rejuvenated buying enthusiasm for all weight categories. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle $2-$3/cwt above week-ago levels with fed steers trading in the range of […] Read more
Klassen: Hot demand on feature calf sales
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canada’s feeder cattle markets continue to show signs of exorbitant strength as the fall run moves into full gear. Many auction markets were featuring the first calf sales of the season, defining the market structure for the next few weeks. Major feeding regions such as southern Alberta saw quality 500-pound steer calves readily trade […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
