Reading Time: 3 minutes For this forecast period, the weather models have been bouncing back and forth between a return to cold weather after a brief mid-week warmup or a return to the mild weather pattern we saw during much of December. The models have been slowly converging towards the milder solutions, but at this point confidence in the second half of this forecast period is low.
Prairie forecast: Battle between warm and cold
Forecast issued January 8, covering January 8 to 15, 2025
Klassen: Stronger fed market to pull up feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Alberta fed cattle market was quoted on a live basis in the range of range of $262-$265/cwt fob feedlot last week. Fed cattle forward contracts for March and April delivery (Alberta) were quoted from $270 to $272/cwt. Compared to last week of November 2024, fed prices are up $20/cwt on average.
Prairie forecast: Colder weather moving in with the New Year
Forecast issued Dec. 31, covering Dec. 31 to January 8, 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes For this forecast period, it looks like the quiet weather pattern will continue as the weather models are not showing any big storm systems impacting the Prairies. We should continue our slow cooldown with temperatures during most of this forecast period looking to be near to below average.
Klassen: Feeder market has many factors to digest in 2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending December 28, there were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada; however, that didn’t stop cattle producers from emailing or calling me over the holidays inquiring about market direction. I thought it would be an opportune time to discuss a couple factors that will influence the market direction over the next couple of months.
Prairie forecast: Mild, quiet holidays expected
Forecast issued Dec. 24, covering Dec. 24 to Dec. 31, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes The weather for this forecast period will be largely controlled by a large, stationary area of low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska. This has been sending wave after wave over energy into coastal B.C. This will result in a predominately west to southwesterly flow across the Prairies—meaning a continuation of mild temperatures as Pacific air dominates.
Klassen: Feeder market finishes 2024 on strong tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending December 21, Western Canadian backgrounded cattle and heavier calves were unchanged to $5 lower on average. Calves in the 600-800 pound range were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 pounds were steady to $10 higher.
Bovine tuberculosis case highlights need for traceability
Producers want compensation for disinfection costs after bovine tuberculosis found in Saskatchewan
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association is emphasizing the importance of biosecurity and record keeping after a positive case of bovine tuberculosis was traced to a cattle herd in that province.
Prairie forecast: Cold start, but then turning mild
Forecast issued Dec. 18, covering Dec. 18 to 25, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes To start this forecast period, we have a strong area of Arctic high pressure dropping southeastwards behind the area of low pressure that hit the eastern Prairies earlier in the week. This high will bring a quick shot of cold weather to Saskatchewan and Manitoba from Wednesday to Friday.
Klassen: Feeder market consolidates at higher levels
Reading Time: 2 minutes The market continues to digest the U.S. border closure to Mexican feeder cattle, which is drawing more U.S. demand towards Western Canada. Auction market volumes are declining at this time of year. The quality of cattle was sub-par in some regions which caused prices to be quite variable.
Prairie forecast: Cold start for the east, overall warm, dry expected
Forecast issued Dec. 11, 2024, covering Dec. 11 – Dec. 18, 2024
Reading Time: 4 minutes To start this forecast period, the strong area of low pressure that tracked through the eastern Prairies is now over Hudson Bay. The rotation around this low is opening the door for a strong, very cold Arctic high to build southwards into the eastern Prairies. This looks to bring some of the coldest temperatures so far this winter to eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. The good news is that it doesn't look like the cold air will stick around long.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
