CME August 2019 live cattle (red) and January 2019 feeder cattle (blue). (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market searching for direction

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable from seven days earlier. Prices were unchanged in the eastern Prairie regions; however, Alberta markets traded $3 to as much as $7 below week-ago levels. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels, so there’s limited buying power available. Calves are fleshier […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels. Favourable weather conditions enhanced buying interest from cattle feeders in Feedlot Alley; however, cattle-on-feed inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels. Pen space remains at a premium due to limited capacity. County permit fees and added regulations have also […] Read more



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Klassen: Weather weighs on feeder cattle

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Eastern Prairie regions experienced demand from Ontario and Quebec, which limited the downside; however, Alberta markets faltered as buyers, having factored in a higher deathloss due to adverse weather. Light wet snow along with warmer temperatures during the […] Read more


Photo: File

Pre-booked corn pushing barley and wheat out of Alberta feedlots

Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada – Cattle in “feedlot alley” in Lethbridge, Alta., won’t be seeing corn leave their diets any time soon, according to one feed grain buyer. “The marketplace booked up a fair bit of corn in advance of it, so through September, December and even out into March. So that’s all been done, that corn […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle demand softens

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were $2 to $3 lower on average. Feedlots were more aggressive on replacements that will finish for the March April fed cattle market. April live cattle futures continue to trade at a $8 premium to the June contract so lighter yearlings were discounted accordingly. The quality was […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle demand softens

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to as much as $5 lower. Feedlot margins have come under pressure over the past week which resulted in lower bids for all weight categories. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 18 to 20 per cent above year-ago levels. Pen space is at […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Feeder cattle market volatility continues

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearlings sold $4 to $6 lower while calves were extremely variable dropping $4 to as much as $10 in some cases. Many auction barns held feature sales last week and larger supplies weighed on the market. Weakness in the deferred live cattle futures also contributed to the softer tone. Feeder […] Read more


Klassen: Stronger demand supports feeder market

Klassen: Stronger demand supports feeder market

Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets jumped $2-$5 last week, after adverse weather caused buyers to shy away earlier in October. Major feedlot operators were very aggressive on quality yearling packages and heavier weaned vaccinated calves. Many operations have limited ownership at this time of year because wet, cold weather conditions delayed purchases. The market appeared […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market softens on adverse weather

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable due to adverse weather. Rain and snow plagued much of the Prairies, which dictated buying behaviour. Yearlings traded within $5 on either side of unchanged; major feedlots focused on local cattle, which caused the Alberta markets to trade at a small premium to […] Read more