Klassen: U.S. economy, stronger feedgrains weigh on feeders

Reading Time: 2 minutes Feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) softer last week. Auction rings saw limited number of cattle come through and many buyers were still in holiday mode. In southern Alberta 600- to 700-pound steers averaged $142/cwt while demand was stronger for 700- to 800-pound cattle which averaged $133/cwt. Heavier replacement cattle were […] Read more

Klassen – extensive heat melts feeder cattle market

Reading Time: 2 minutes Sweltering heat has slowed beef consumption on the restaurant and retail level. Top Alberta slaughter prices were reported at $97/cwt, down $7/cwt to $10/cwt from last week with many feedlots holding back on sales. U.S. fed prices were also $3 softer with cattle moving at $108/cwt in Kansas. A healthy group of professionally backgrounded exotic […] Read more


Klassen: Upward momentum lifts feeder cattle

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 to $3 higher last week. Most auction markets reported very little volume and many cattle buyers remain on holidays at the Calgary Stampede. In central Alberta, 800- to 900-pound steers averaged $128 with feedlots showing stronger interest for heavier replacements. Alberta packers bought fed cattle at $101 per […] Read more

Klassen: Weak corn equals strong feeder cattle

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 higher in comparison to week-ago levels. Very light auction volumes were reported with many sale barns closed for summer holidays. Feedlot buying interest started to improve late in the week but with limited supplies available, there wasn’t a significant test of the market. Feedlot operators continue […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle futures test contract highs

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 higher last week while U.S. prices jumped $4 to $8. Auction market volumes were extremely light while most cattle buyers started their holiday season. It’s that time of year when quality feeder cattle are hard to find and feedlot owners have other issues to contend with. […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices bounce off lows

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices appear to be stabilizing with values steady to $3 higher on average last week. A larger group of feeder heifers averaging 880 pounds sold for $104 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta; 640-lb. steers sold for $149/cwt delivered to Feedlot Alley in southern Alberta. Strength in the feeder market was […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle continue lower trend

Reading Time: 2 minutes Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to $2 lower last week on light volumes and limited buying interest. Feedlot demand remains sluggish as feedyard managers struggle with inefficient weight gains, higher death loss and adverse pen conditions. The market is experiencing sharp discrepancies across Western Canada with similar cattle varying by $5-$8 per […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices drop $2-$4 per cwt

Reading Time: 2 minutes Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $2 to $4 lower with heavier replacement cattle bearing the brunt of the decline. Alberta fed steers dipped to $97 on Friday, down nearly $3/cwt from a week earlier, which kept tempered buying enthusiasm. Adverse pen conditions have resulted in lower rates of gain and with the weak […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle continue grind lower

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 lower last week. Lighter-weight grass cattle held up fairly well, with heavier replacements moving in line with the slaughter market. Alberta fed steers were $2 lower trading at the $100 per hundredweight (cwt) level, down $16/cwt from the highs in early April. Feeder steers weighing 620 […] Read more

Klassen: USDA report sets negative tone

Reading Time: 2 minutes Feeder cattle prices were $2 to $3 lower across Western Canada, with prices dropping an additional $1 to $2 late in the week. Steers weighing 620 pounds sold for $135 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta, down $4 from a week earlier; lighter steers weighing 500 to 550 lbs. sold in the range of $138/cwt […] Read more