Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings (900 lbs. and over) appeared to trade $6-$8 lower on average; yearlings weighing 800-900 lbs. off grass were unchanged. Backgrounded yearlings were also $6-$8 lower. Mid-weight calves were unchanged but calves under 600 lbs. were $3 to as much as $10 lower in some cases. Feedlot operators pulled […] Read more

Klassen: Uncertain fed cattle market weighs on feeder cattle
U.S. feeder demand seen relatively sluggish

Klassen: Stronger barley prices limit upside for feeder cattle complex
Feedlot operators make barley purchases, price feeder cattle accordingly
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 higher to as much as $5 lower. A softer tone was noted on yearlings in the eastern Prairie regions. Calf prices were steady to $4 lower on average compared to seven days earlier. Quality yearling packages fresh off grass held value but backgrounded heavier replacements […] Read more

Klassen: Weaker Canadian dollar supports feeder market
Weather optimal for bringing in fresh replacements
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded steady to $2 higher on average while calves traded $2 higher to $4 lower. The calf market was hard to define due to limited numbers while larger supplies of yearlings were on offer in Manitoba this past week. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed […] Read more

Klassen: April live cattle futures pull nearby cash feeder market higher
More feedlots switching back to barley
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $3 higher on average. Quality yearling packages of larger volume traded $2-$3 above week-ago levels. The calf market is becoming more defined. Larger calf volumes were on offer in Saskatchewan and Manitoba but smaller numbers were noted in Alberta. Therefore, we can’t accurately compare […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market ratchets higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices markets traded $2-$5 higher on average. Calves were quite variable. This was the first week when larger groups of calves were featured on the internet sales. Prices on the internet appeared to be significantly stronger than smaller groups under 10 head moving through auction rings. Feedlot operators […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder markets digest StatCan data
Barley crop expected up 34 per cent on year
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher. Yearling prices have strengthened by $8-$10 over the past four weeks. Calf values were relatively unchanged but the market was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying on a dressed basis from $300 to $302 delivered, up $1-$2 […] Read more

Klassen: Stronger fed market supports feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 higher on average. Heavier calves over 700 lbs. continued to climb, notching gains of $2-$4. Calves weighing 500-700 lbs. were $4 to as much as $7 higher. This past week, there was a light test of calves under 500 lbs.. Prices were near historical highs […] Read more

Klassen: Hot demand sustains yearling market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Heavier calves over 700 lbs. were quoted $2-$4 higher on average. Calves under 700 lbs. were quite variable. There were limited numbers on offer in the lighter weight categories and the market remains in price discovery mode. Larger strings of […] Read more

Klassen: Alberta yearling market makes fresh 52-week high
Reading Time: 2 minutes The western Canadian feeder cattle market is in price discovery mode. There was a light test of yearlings and calves this past week, with prices setting fresh 52-week highs. New-crop supplies of grass cattle are coming on the market from drier pockets of Alberta. At the same time, regular feedlot backgrounded replacements are trading at […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market experiences calm before upcoming storm
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Once again, overall volumes were limited, with small strings and singles moving through auction barns. The quality was quite variable and offbeat stragglers were quite common. Buyers incorporate a risk discount on these cattle; therefore, prices do not represent […] Read more