Renee Ardill, who was featured in the March 5 issue of Farm & Family (powered by Country Guide), recounts her family’s ranch history below.

“My ranch started in 1920 when my grandfather, Jack Ardill, settled here,” says Renee Ardill, owner of Ardill Ranch which is 30 kilometres east of Hudson’s Hope in the Peace River region of British Columbia.

Ardill runs 350 Hereford cows in a cow-calf operation on 36 sections and maintains 30 head of working Quarter horses. 

“[My grandfather] was born in 1890 and came from Ireland to Canada in 1909 at the age of 19,” says Ardill. “He worked on the Bonaparte Ranch. He was there for a couple of years before going off to see more of the country and got a job as a surveyor’s helper, working in the Athabaskan area.”

With the onset of World War l in 1914, Jack joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Along with fellow soldiers, he was sent to England then served in the British Army in Europe.

He experienced fear as a prisoner of war and pain as an injured soldier. But beyond the disease-ridden, rat-infested, muddy trenches, the terrifying whizzbang of German howitzers, and soldiers’ cries of despair, Jack clung to his vision of a Canadian future.

“While recovering in Holland he met his future wife Betty, my grandmother, and together they returned to Canada,” says Ardill. “He had heard about the Peace River country from a friend who told him that if he survived the war he should go to the Peace.”

It was sage advice.

As war raged, the Peace region was undergoing its transformation into an agricultural heartland thanks to the geologic output of Ice Age cycles. For two million years, massive glaciers had ebbed and flowed across the landscape of hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, swamp and muskeg, grinding rocks and boulders into soil as fine as flour. This glacial loess (a fine-grained sediment formed during the Ice Age) became swaths of poplar, aspen and spruce interspersed with fertile grassland.

It was a farmer’s dream.

The promise of cattle and grain farming attracted settlers to the region. The Dominion government controlled what was called the Peace River Block, an area some 3.5 million acres. In 1912 it opened the region for homesteading. Settlers would receive a quarter-section of land for the nominal entry fee of $10.

There were further benefits for soldiers returning from the war. Under the Soldier Settlement Act, they received a free homestead entry plus access to very generous government loans to purchase livestock, equipment, supplies and home building materials.

Jack and Betty returned to Canada in 1919. When Betty became pregnant, she moved to Edmonton and stayed there until their first son, John, was born in February 1920. (John would be followed by Betty, Richard [Dick] and Tom. Dick is Renee’s father.)

Jack remained in B.C. He had never forgotten the advice from his friend about settling in the Peace. He scouted for land and found what he had dreamed of located on the banks of the Peace River near Farrell Creek just east of Hudson’s Hope. He filed for a Homestead and Soldier’s Grant and, in 1920, Jack, Betty and their young son, John, moved west to launch Ardill Ranch.

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The TEAM auction market report had a pen-sized package of mixed steers with Charolais influence off grass diet with full health records and implants averaging 1,025 pounds selling for $450/cwt fob ranch for near Indian Head for immediate delivery. A rancher southwest of Edmonton, reported a larger package of Angus cross yearling heifers off pasture with full processing data and implants with a mean weight of 975 pounds traded for $435/cwt fob ranch.

More markets coverage: Manitoba cattle prices, Oct. 17, 2025

At the St Rose Auction, a group of 11 Charolais mixed steers (off grass) averaging 814 pounds sold for $543/cwt. At the Killarney sale, a smaller package of Charolais steers averaging 805 pounds dropped the gavel at $551/cwt.

At the Ponoka ring sale, a group of 36 Simmental cross Red Angus steers off cows and grass averaging 725 pounds with full processing records silenced the crowd at $594/cwt.

The Prince Albert market report had a group of 29 tan steers weighing 604 pounds selling for $627. At the VJV Westlock sale, 15 black steers weighing just over 600 pounds with full health records off cows and grass diet traded for $640/cwt.

On the TEAM video sale, a group of 60 Angus based steers averaging 510 pounds with full processing records and implants straight off their mothers sold for $751/cwt fob ranch near Bashaw, Alta.

At the Ste. Rose Auction, a smaller group of black and red bawling steers averaging 382 pounds reached 922/cwt. Their lighter brothers scaled at 348 pounds overwhelmed the crowd touching $982/cwt.

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $505/cwt delivered, down $2-$3/cwt from a week earlier. Fed cattle traded on a live basis in Southern Alberta at $302-$304/cwt.

Canadian feeder cattle prices have been at a premium to U.S. values which has tempered buying interest from south of the border. This past week, Canadian and U.S. values were relatively equal for similar quality cattle which was supportive. Ontario buyers were fairly active across Western Canada for all weight categories.

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He said prices for corn and barley have risen C$5 to C$8 per tonne over the last few weeks, citing them for November-December at C$285/tonne delivered Lethbridge, with the January-February-March prices for both at C$290.

“The (U.S.) corn market has come up, but it’s stabilized right now,” Haley said, while noting there’s also been a change in the Alberta cattle industry.

“We have a more traditional fall where calves are starting to move the last couple of weeks, he explained, noting last year, “the calf run was pretty much over by now.”

However, he said the feedlots are well covered and reluctant to acquire anymore feed at this time.

Meanwhile, with the declines in the Canadian dollar Haley suggested there could be an increase in barley exports. Should that lead to pricier barley he warned the switch back to corn in the cattle rations would be very quick.

As for feed wheat, Haley said business is scarce as it’s going for C$305 to C$310/tonne. The only orders are occasionally to poultry farms, hog producers and feed mills.

“The quality is too good, and the export market is competing very well with feed,” he explained.

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• RELATED: U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures fall on weaker boxed beef prices

In Central Alberta, a smaller group of mixed big frame steers off grass just over 1,000 pounds apparently sold for $316/cwt in the ring. North of Saskatoon, a larger group of Charolais blended heifers off grass weighing 960 pounds sold for $311/cwt fob farm. Northeast of Calgary, Simmental based steers off grass weighing 940 pounds apparently sold for $326/cwt.  South of Edmonton, a larger group of Angus based steers straight of pasture measured at 830 pounds reached up to $365/cwt. This was a premium for larger group of top quality genetics. In Lloydminster, tan heifers off grass averaging 800 pounds were valued at $357/cwt.

In Southern Alberta, black steers off grass weighing just over 700 pounds were quoted at $370/cwt. In Beaverlodge, a dozen Angus mixed yearling heifers around 740 pounds supposedly traded for $340. In Central Alberta, black steers backgrounded in the lot last winter and then placed on grass this past summer, weighing 720 pounds notched the board at $395.

Northeast of Calgary, black Limousin mixed, weaned steers, coming from green thick pastures weighing 615 pounds reportedly settled at $415/cwt fob farm. In Central Alberta, mixed heifers off grass averaging 662 pounds were quoted at $357. South of Calgary, tan weaned heifers on the card at 605 pounds were valued at $371/cwt fob feedlot.

In Central Saskatchewan, a double pair of tan steers weighing just over 500 pounds were quoted at $465. In Southern Alberta, a handful of black steers weighing 515 apparently traded for $440. In Westlock, a small group of Simmental based 400-pound steers supposedly sold for $465.

Statistics Canada estimated Canadian barley production at  7.5 million tonnes, down from last year’s crop of 8.9 million tonnes. This was considered bullish for barley prices. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada will likely lower their key benchmark rate at the next meetings due to rising unemployment. If these Central Bankers are worried about rising unemployment, cattle producers should also be concerned higher unemployment causing beef demand to decrease.

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In Central Alberta, a smaller group of light butter, larger frame, mixed steers averaging 955 pounds on silage/protein supplement diet with full processing data sold for $311. In the same region,  a smaller package of fleshier 925-pound mixed, medium frame, red heifers sold for $294. North of Red Deer, a smaller group of thinner, large frame Angus blended heifers weighing 810 pounds dropped the gavel at $329. In North-Central Saskatchewan, medium to larger frame, lower flesh Charolais steers averaging 815 pounds were valued at $358.

In Central Saskatchewan, large-wide frame Limousin blended steers and on grass and hay diet weighing 710 pounds were last bid at $403. South of Edmonton, medium to larger frame, thin, tan mixed heifers around 705 pounds apparently traded for $340.

The market for lighter calves was extremely variable across the prairies. In Central Alberta, weaned Simmental mixed steers on grass and hay diet with full processing data averaging 655 pounds supposedly traded for $456. In Central Saskatchewan, a smaller package of 620 pound mixed steers reportedly sold for $432. In Central Alberta, medium wide frame red Angus blended heifer calves on hay and forage diet scaled at 655 pounds apparently notched the board at $390.

In Central Alberta, a handful to tan weaned 520-pound steers charted course at $480. In Central Saskatchewan, a smaller package of mixed 530-pound steers were valued at $438. In the Calgary region, a handful of mixed weaned heifers weighing 585 were valued at $394 and weaned black heifers around 510 pounds reportedly sold for $398.

Finishing and backgrounding operations are factoring in a $15-$20 jump in feeder cattle prices between now and August. When there is a quality package available, buyers are not afraid to bid the market to fresh record highs. It’s a very unique period in the cattle cycle.

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Strength was noted in calves under 650 pounds while feeders over 700 pounds were relatively unchanged. Larger packages of weaned quality genetics were $8 to $10 higher in some cases.

Year-end buying was evident across the prairies, which enhanced buying interest. Despite the year-over-year increase in prices, demand has exceeded expectations. The higher prices have encouraged ranchers and cow calf producers to sell light-weight calves earlier than normal. This forward push in marketing behavior comes on the heels of consecutive year-over-year decreases in the calf crop. Therefore, feedlot operators are gearing up for a significant shortfall in overall feeder numbers in the first half of 2024. Buyers are stepping up earlier than normal for grassers. The pee-wee calves remain hot with larger operations placing these cattle in backgrounding custom feedyards.

In central Saskatchewan, tan weaned steers with larger, thin frames weighing a shade over 900 pounds apparently traded for $293. At the Ponoka video sale, mixed steers over 60 day weaning period, averaging 820 pounds with full health data on silage and light barley diet, were last bid at $310. In the Edmonton region, Angus based semi-weaned heifers with full health data, weighing 850 pounds reportedly traded for $269.

In central Saskatchewan, exotic steers with full processing on the card at 700 pounds, coming off cows and hay diet, reportedly sold for $347. At the Ste. Rose Auction Market, mixed larger frame steers with on the scale at 647 pounds notched the chart at $371. Black heifers weighing 615 pounds were on the report at $306.

In the Saskatoon region, tan bawling steers weighing 600 pounds sold for $362, while the younger lonely brothers at 550 pounds silenced the crowd at $373. In southern Manitoba, Simmental based steers off their mothers at 560 pounds silenced the crowd at $412, and Angus based heifers weighing 515 pounds moved through the ring at $360.

In central Alberta, a small package of red steers weighing 445 pounds reportedly traded for $430. In southern Saskatchewan, black steers weighing 430 pounds supposedly traded for $480 and the same quality heifers at 420 pounds were quoted at $405.

The USDA WASDE report had 2024 U.S. fourth quarter beef production at 6.3 billion pounds. This would be down nearly 400 million pounds from the fourth quarter of 2023. This lower production estimate appears to be reinforcing the price structure for lighter calves.

— Jerry Klassen is president and founder of Resilient Capital, specializing in proprietary commodity futures trading and market analysis. Jerry consults with feedlots on risk management and writes a weekly cattle market commentary. He can be reached at 204-504-8339 or via his website at ResilCapital.com.

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CME August live cattle futures LCQ3 settled down 1.275 cents at 178.750 cents per pound and most-active October LCV3 fell 1.600 cents to 180.300 cents per pound. But back months, including all contracts for 2024 delivery, ended higher on reminders of tightening U.S. cattle supplies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday said producers placed 1.68 million cattle in feedlots during June, up 3% from 2022, while analysts, on average, had expected a decline. The high placements figure suggested that poor conditions persisting on grazing pastures encouraged producers to send more cattle than expected to feedlots last month, analysts said.

However, in a semi-annual cattle report also released late on Friday, the USDA said farmers were raising the fewest number of beef cows since at least 1971, signaling tight cattle supplies overall.

CME August feeder cattle FCQ3 futures fell 2.675 cents on Monday to settle at 243.250 cents per pound as corn futures soared 6%, signaling higher feed grain costs. Corn and wheat futures surged in response to Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukraine’s grain export infrastructure.

In the wholesale beef market, prices for choice cuts of boxed beef BEEF-US-CH rose $1.42 to $304.16 per hundredweight (cwt), while select cuts rose 26 cents to $276.99 per cwt.

CME October lean hog futures LHV3 settled down 1.600 cents at 82.650 cents per pound.

The USDA quoted the wholesale pork carcass cutout at $117.21 per cwt, up $1.96 from Friday.

–Reporting for Reuters by Julie Ingwersen in Chicago.

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Feather light calves under 500 pounds reached fresh historical highs with 300-400 pound steers trading from $400-$450/cwt in Southern Alberta.  Finishing feedlots continue to be aggressive on yearlings for nearby and fall delivery with 1,000 pound steers touching $300/cwt.  Fed cattle basis levels remain firm for the winter of 2023/24 and the February and April live cattle futures continue to trade near historical highs.

Feedlot operators shrugged off the rally in the corn market this past week. Imported U.S. corn delivered to Southern Alberta feedlots continues to trade at a sharp discount to domestic barley for old- and new-crop positions. Feeding margins are extremely tight moving forward but renewed optimism that this rally in the beef complex is not over.

In Central Alberta, larger frame mixed steers fresh off grass with full health data averaging 1,000 pounds sold for $298. In the same region, Simmental blended heifers off grass with full processing records with a scale weight of 970 pounds reportedly traded at $272. North of Saskatoon, larger frame mixed steers off pasture weighing 1020 pounds set the bar at $302 fob farm for September delivery.

In Southern Alberta, Angus based steers off grass weighing 925 pounds were valued at $315 fob farm. In the same region, larger frame Simmental mixed steer on pasture diet  weighing 800 pounds charted course $323. South of Edmonton, Hereford blended steers weighing a shade under 700 pounds were last bid at $339 and a smaller group mixed red heifers weighing 750 pounds were quoted at $288.

In Central Alberta, fully weaned black steers off grass weighing 590 pounds silenced the crowed at $386 and weaned mixed heifers with a scale weight of 510 pounds top the market at $319.

Near Lethbridge, steers weighing 300-400 pounds were trading from $400 to as high as $446. Stragglers and small off grade groups were severely discounted. The market was hard to define on calves under 650 pounds due to limited volumes.

The USDA released their cattle inventory report and the 2023 calf crop was projected to finish at 33.8 million head, down approximately 675,000 head from the 2022 output.  The U.S. cattle herd shows now sign of expansion with lower beef cow numbers and year-over-year decline in heifers for beef cow replacement. Ongoing job and wage growth in Canada and the U.S. continues to enhance consumer demand.

— Jerry Klassen is president and founder of Resilient Capital, specializing in proprietary commodity futures trading and market analysis. Jerry consults with feedlots on risk management and writes a weekly cattle market commentary. He can be reached at 204-504-8339 or via his website at ResilCapital.com.

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This past week, finishing feedlots were once again aggressive on all weight categories. Ontario demand was noted on feeders in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan, with a premium lean on Limousin and Charolais blends. Despite the softer tone in deferred live cattle futures, the nearby feeder market didn’t miss a beat. Fleshier types were discounted but even these cattle were well bid. Overall volumes are declining in line with the seasonal tendency. The lower supplies contributed to the stronger tone.

In central Alberta, Angus-blended lower-flesh steers on light grain ration with full health data averaging 842 lbs. were quoted at $270. North of Calgary, a smaller group of fleshier Simmental blends weighing 840 lbs. were bid up to $256. Northwest of Winnipeg, larger-frame lower-flesh Charolais scaled at 855 lbs. dropped the gavel at $286. At the same sale, black Limousin mixed thinner steers weighing just under 785 lbs. charted fresh waters $294. In central Alberta, mixed steers scaled at 775 lbs. on silage diet traded hands at $268.

In southern Manitoba red mixed 735-lb. steers sold for $308; south of Edmonton, tan steers with a 715-lb. ticket were last quoted at $321.

Near Lethbridge, Angus heifers averaging 615 lbs. sold for $300; southeast of Calgary, tan steers weighing 640 lbs. were valued at $325. East of Saskatoon, Charolais-based steers weighing a shade over 500 lbs. watered eyes selling at $370 and similar-quality and -weight heifers silenced the crowed at $340.

A larger portion of Alberta has received less than 40 per cent of normal precipitation. Pastures are in poor condition. Smoky conditions in central Alberta may have set a negative tone for the market last week. Approximately 45 per cent of the Canadian calves born are in Alberta. This is a serious blow to the industry and may result in an abnormal marketing schedule for a large portion of feeder cattle.

— Jerry Klassen is president and founder of Resilient Capital, specializing in proprietary commodity futures trading and market analysis. Jerry consults with feedlots on risk management and writes a weekly cattle market commentary. He can be reached at 204-504-8339 or via his website at ResilCapital.com.

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It’s coming to the point that feedlots are booking their feed grain requirements and then purchasing replacements accordingly. Feedlot margins continue to hover in red ink and there is still a fair amount of uncertainty when beef demand will resume some type of normalcy. Certain regions experienced a severe snowstorm but this didn’t appear to have much effect on the calf market. I didn’t hear of any values from Saskatchewan and Manitoba last week.

Minimal yearlings were available last week. In Southern Alberta, Hereford based medium frame steers with heavier flesh levels weighing just over 1000 pounds were valued at $164 and a small group of mixed steers of similar quality weighing 875 pounds were quoted at $175. In Central Alberta, red mixed medium frame steers with medium flesh levels averaging 850 pounds were valued at $177 and similar quality mixed heifers averaging 860 pounds were quoted at $165. In the Lethbridge area, a smaller group of larger frame mixed heifers with variable flesh levels averaging 840 pounds were reported at $166.

Market reports suggested lighter calves under 550 pounds were trading near four-month highs. In Central Alberta, a small group of mixed steers on full health program averaging just under 500 pounds were quoted at $239 and similar quality mixed steers weighing 435 pounds were valued at $254. In the same region, black heifers with full health program averaging 495 pounds were quoted at $201. Mid weight calves experienced a mixed tone. In Southern Alberta, a small group of mixed steers averaging 670 pounds were quoted at $197 and mixed heifers 660 pounds were quoted at $177.

In the Lethbridge area, good quality bred heifers were trading in the range of $1800 to as high as $2400 and higher quality bred cows were selling from $1900 to as high as $2500. There appears to be strong demand for herd replacements. The cow calf producer reflects the longer term outlook.

— Jerry Klassen manages the Canadian office of Swiss-based grain trader GAP SA Grains and Produits Ltd. and is president and founder of Resilient Capital, specializing in proprietary commodity futures trading and market analysis. Jerry consults with feedlots on risk management and writes a weekly cattle market commentary. He can be reached at 204-504-8339 or via his website at ResilCapital.com.

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