Klassen: Fed cattle lead feeders higher

Reading Time: 2 minutes The weaker Canadian dollar, along with stronger beef prices and lower market-ready supplies, caused fed cattle to jump $4 per hundredweight (cwt) last week. Alberta packers paid up to $111/cwt in a struggle to fill nearby demand. Feeder cattle prices followed suit, edging up $2-$3/cwt on average, with lighter-weight cattle up as much as $5/cwt […] Read more

Klassen: Weaker corn, softer dollar strengthen feeder cattle

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week on average. Strong demand was noted on all weight categories, with heavier replacements sometimes up $3-$4/cwt. A group of red and black Angus-based steers weighing 920 pounds with no special qualities sold for $123/cwt in central Alberta. A similar group of cattle […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle shrug off recessionary fears

Reading Time: 2 minutes Feeder cattle prices across Western Canada were steady to $2 higher on average with stronger demand surfacing in the lighter weight categories. Pee-wee steer calves under 350 pounds sold for $186 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta, which is near all-time record highs for any weight category. Black Angus-based age-verified steer calves averaging 528 lbs. […] Read more

Klassen: Prairie feeder prices strengthen, U.S. prices soften

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were up $1-$3 on average last week as major feedlot operators were more aggressive to secure nearby supplies. Steers in the range of 700 to 800 pounds averaged $140 per hundredweight (cwt); yearlings in the 800- to 900-pound category averaged $130-$132/cwt while replacement cattle over 900 pounds brought back $125/cwt. […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle market poised to consolidate

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 lower last week as weaker fed cattle prices and stronger feedgrain values set a negative tone. Wholesale beef prices have come under pressure due to weaker consumer confidence and softer equity values. Labour Day beef demand was somewhat disappointing and retailers were discounting ground beef in […] Read more

Klassen: Feedgrain costs influence feeder prices

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian yearling prices were $2 higher to $3 lower in comparison to seven days earlier, while feeder cattle under 700 pounds were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots continue to set the tone, paying light premiums for good-quality age-verified cattle. This caused an uneven tone and regional differences were also noted. Prices in southern Alberta were […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stay firm

Reading Time: 2 minutes Feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 higher on average across Western Canada last week. Feedlot demand was healthy for all weight categories with lighter calves moving into custom backgrounding operations. In southern Alberta, a group of 220 large-frame Charolais-cross steers averaging 805 pounds sold for $136 per hundredweight (cwt). On average steers weighing 700 […] Read more

Klassen: Yearling prices soften on record U.S. placements

Reading Time: 2 minutes Yearling prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight lower on average last week while calves were steady to $2 higher. Shortkeep steers came under pressure as the industry anticipated record-large U.S. feedlot placements during July. Feedlot demand started to subside given the uncertainty in the fed market. However, by the end of the week, Alberta […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle strengthen on larger volume

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average last week. Volumes are starting to increase at most auction barns now that the yearling run is well underway. Labour Day demand and a weak Canadian dollar caused Alberta fed steers to reach a high of $107/cwt, up $3-$4/cwt. Strength […] Read more