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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.

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Klassen: Feeder market continues to surge higher

Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending December 7, Western Canadian feeder cattle weighing 700 pounds plus traded $10 to $20 higher compared to seven days earlier. Calves under 700 pounds were up $8 to $10 on average. The markets in Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan were premium to Alberta in the heavier categories due to stronger U.S. and Ontario buying interest.


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Prairie forecast: Melting in the west, milder in the east

Forecast issued Dec. 4, covering Dec. 4 to 11, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes Things are looking not too bad for those who want to see snow or deep freeze temperatures. As we start this forecast period, a strong area of Arctic high pressure is dropping southeastwards over the eastern Prairies behind the strong area of low pressure that zipped through on Tuesday. Over the western Prairies, the weather models show a strong ridge of high pressure building over B.C. which is expected to transition eastwards.

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Klassen: Canadian feeder market jumps on trade disruptions

Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending November 29, feeder cattle market reports from Manitoba had prices up $20-$40/cwt from week-ago levels. Prices in Saskatchewan and Alberta were up $10 to $20 on average. The market was hard to define this past week with a wide range prices across Western Canada for similar quality and weight cattle.








(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Western Canadian calf market surges

Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending 26, Western Canadian calf markets were up $8-$12/cwt on average compared to seven days earlier. Pee-wee calves were up $20-$25/cwt compared to the prior week. Finishing feedlot operators were active buyers in all weight categories while backgrounders were cleaning up on smaller packages of calves under 550 pounds. 

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Canadian feeder markets trades premium to U.S. values

Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending October 19, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $3 to $5 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher.  Strength in the deferred live cattle futures along with the weaker Canadian dollar has resulted in positive margins on incoming calves. Therefore, the calf market has developed a floor price.