Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending May 16, Western Canadian feeder markets were steady to $6 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. Heifers were relatively unchanged but steers were notably stronger, especially on replacements over 800 pounds.
Klassen: Buying interest for feeder cattle subsides
Prairie forecast: Cool long weekend expected for Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Forecast issued May 14, covering May 14 to 21, 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes Across the eastern Prairies, all eyes are on the breakdown of the western trough and the resulting ejection of the final area of low pressure. The weather models are still trying to get a handle on this feature.
Klassen: Feedlot operators become cautious on purchases
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending May 10, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average. Quality packages of lighter calves were priced $10-$15 above week ago levels. Many auction barns are only holding sales every two or three weeks at this time of year with limited numbers on offer. This made the market hard to define in certain weight categories.
Prairie forecast: Hot east, cool west
Forecast issued May 7, covering May 7 to 14, 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes We saw a strong ridge of high pressure build in last week, which brought daytime highs into the low thirties across parts of the eastern Prairies. Once the ridge collapsed, cooler air moved back in. Well, it looks like we can expect another cycle of building and collapsing ridges. Then, starting on the weekend, the weather pattern should become more energetic thanks to a strong trough of low pressure forecasted to develop off the West Coast.
Klassen: Feeder market consolidates as supplies decrease
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending May 2, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. The heifer discount to steers continues to narrow. Steady buying interest from Ontario was noted in Manitoba and certain locations in Saskatchewan.
Prairie forecast: Here comes the summery weather
Forecast issued April 30, covering April 30 to May 7, 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes Well, one week is up and as I pointed out in last week's forecast, the weather pattern still looks like it is going to flip from a cool-ish spring regime right into a summer-like pattern. This flip should happen over the next few days.
Klassen: Higher packer bids enhance feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending April 26, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier.
Canadian farmers’ view of the federal government differs by province — but not by much
Part 3 | Canadian farmers reveal concerns ahead of federal election
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec answer the question "do you feel represented by the federal government?"
Prairie forecast: Warm weather gaining ground
Forecast issued April 23, covering April 23 to 30, 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes We start this forecast period with an area of low pressure exiting the eastern Prairie and taking the rain and wet snow with it. To the west, a weak frontal system looks ready to drop into northern Alberta where it should bring scattered showers.
Klassen: Fall fed cattle supply concerns strengthen feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending April 19, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to $3 above week-ago levels. Many auction barns did not have sales due to Good Friday but sale volumes were also smaller at active locations.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
