Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending October 4, Western Canadian grass yearling markets traded steady to $5-$8/cwt lower on average compared to seven days earlier. Backgrounded yearlings were down $5-$12/cwt. Calf markets were down $5 to $10/cwt from a week earlier. There was an influx of calves over the past week which resulted in the softer tone […] Read more

Klassen: Highs in place for the feeder market

Klassen: Feeder market remains volatile
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending September 27, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt higher to $10/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier.

Klassen: Feeder market slips off record highs
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending September 20, Western Canadian feeder markets traded steady to $5/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. There were pockets where quality calf packages traded $10-$15/cwt below prices from the prior week. The October feeder cattle futures have been trading at $15/cwt premium to the deferred March 2026 contract. This inverse in […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market eyes deferred live cattle futures
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending September 13, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. The April 2026 live cattle futures ended the week at $233, down $10 from the contract highs. Nearby feedlot margins remain favorable; however, profitability in the deferred positions has evaporated given the weakness in the deferred […] Read more

Improving calf health, fighting pesticide resistance highlighted at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show
Reading Time: 2 minutes New strides in agricultural innovation including improving calf health, fighting pesticide resistance were the featured topic at the University of Guelph Feeding The Future discussion at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2025.

Klassen: Feeder market consolidates at historical highs
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending September 6, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $525/cwt, up $15/cwt from a week earlier. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $315/cwt. Current breakeven pen closeout […] Read more

Veterinary know-how on the farm
Summer Series: Basic veterinary knowledge could save you extra fees — and your animals. Here’s a refresher about the top common health concerns every farmer should be able to recognize
Reading Time: 6 minutes If you’re a livestock farmer, you’ve likely faced one of the most frustrating situations on the farm: a sick or distressed animal. You feel helpless, unsure of how to provide assistance or relief. According to Dr. Rob Swackhammer, veterinarian with Upper Grand Veterinary Services in Guelph, Ont., who specializes in large animal veterinary care, these […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market continues to climb
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending August 30, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4-$8/cwt higher on average. Quality yearling and calf packages were up as much as $15/cwt in some cases.

Klassen: Feeder market makes another leg higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending August 23, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 to $10 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. In some locations such as Lethbridge, larger packages of quality yearlings traded $10 to as much as $20/cwt higher.

Klassen: Strong demand supports feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending August 9, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 to $10 higher on average. Many weight categories notched fresh record highs. Ontario demand was evident across western Canada for calves and yearlings.