Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending Oct. 14, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $4 higher compared to a week earlier. Calves in the range of 500 to 800 pounds traded $4-$6 lower in Alberta. However, in eastern Saskatchewan and in Manitoba, calves in this weight category were relatively unchanged compared to the previous week. In […] Read more

Klassen: Ontario demand sets the price structure for calves
Corn in Ontario at $232/tonne, U.S. corn in southern Alberta at $315

Klassen: Steam evaporates off yearling market
August 2024 feeder futures at a premium
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $4 lower. The yearling quality continues to fade as thicker flesh levels are starting to appear. Steer calves were down $4-$8 on average while heifer calves were down $15 to as much as $20 in some cases. From a seasonal perspective, the calf market […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market falters at record highs
Risk premiums in market seen eroding
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 to as much as $8 lower on average. Calf markets were relatively unchanged to $10 lower. There was moderate demand for top quality grass yearlings but plainer types experienced softer buying interest. Pre-conditioned calves held value but unweaned bawlers appear to set back $5-$10. Seasonally, […] Read more

Klassen: Lower beef production forecasts support feeder complex
Major feedlots seen aggressive on quality calves
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Calf markets were steady to $5 higher on average, with stronger buying interest on preconditioned weaned steer calves. Light calves weighing under 500 lbs. appeared to jump $10-$20 in certain regions. This past week, focus of finishing feedlots switched from […] Read more

Klassen: Stronger live cattle futures enhance feeder demand
Feeder cattle supplies look to be lower than anticipated
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian grass yearling prices were unchanged to $3/cwt lower on average. Steers held value but heifers had a softer tone. Calf prices were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. However, weaker barley prices and stronger deferred live cattle prices limited any slippage. The calf market continues to be in price […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market continues to consolidate
U.S. feeder cattle supplies seen tighter than expected
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian grass yearling prices were relatively unchanged. Yearlings over 800 lbs. on light grain rations or on diets mixed with silage were priced at $5 to as much as $20 discount to those cattle coming straight off pasture. Larger groups of uniform quality continue to trade at a minor premium […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market shrugs off lower barley production
Barley exports, domestic demand expected to be reduced
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3/cwt on either side of unchanged. Prices for calves were also unchanged from average values seven days earlier. Calf markets are becoming more defined as volumes increase. There also appeared to be larger volume of high-quality yearlings available, which was a surprise. The drought hasn’t significantly […] Read more

Klassen: Calf numbers down in Western Canada
StatCan figures a surprise to the trade
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were relatively unchanged. Yearlings straight off grass were very well bid and prices held value. Yearlings over 800 lbs. on light grain ration were quoted $15-$20 discount to those cattle coming straight off pasture. We’re seeing heavier calves around 800 lbs. trade at $330-$340. Increased calf numbers […] Read more

Klassen: Feedlots aggressively secure ownership
StatCan cattle inventory report due out soon
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, yearlings straight off grass sold $3-$5 higher on average. In certain cases, larger groups of higher quality genetics traded $8-$12 above week-ago levels. Auction markets had larger volumes this past week and there was strong demand across all weight categories. It’s that time of year when major operations are stepping forward […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market consolidates
USDA report considered supportive for Q4 fed cattle
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3/cwt on either side of unchanged. The steam appears to be coming off the market as larger volumes become available. Pastures have basically dried up in many areas of Western Canada, which has spurred on producer selling. The calf market was hard to define due to […] Read more