Reading Time: 2 minutes The upward momentum in the feeder cattle complex appears to have subsided over the past week. Western Canadian prices were relatively stable with week-ago levels but there were cases of quality yearling packages (800-plus lbs.) trading $2 to $4 higher. Excellent pasture conditions and optimal weather have delayed feature sales this year in the eastern […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market momentum eases
Klassen: Major operations aggressively bid feeder cattle
Reading Time: 2 minutes The feeder cattle market in a world of its own but has a fair amount of new information — mostly negative — to digest as the fall run moves into full steam. Despite the upcoming uncertainty, western Canadian yearling prices were $4 to $8 above last week on very strong buying interest from larger operations; […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market tenacious
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices appeared to shrug off all negative economic news and divorce from the fed cattle complex this past week. Volumes were once again quite thin, characterized by varying quality. Feedlot operators were active on all fronts, especially in southern Alberta where the barley harvest is in full swing. Heavier yearlings on […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stabilize
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices found some footing this past week trading at similar levels to seven days earlier. Auction market volumes consisted of stragglers and late bloomers with minimal numbers on offer; buyers on hand continue to promote the scarcity principle which caused the market to stabilize. Feedlots operators were quite aggressive on 800 […] Read more
Klassen: Various views on the feeder cattle market
Reading Time: 2 minutes If you talked to three Western Canadian cattle buyers this week, you probably would receive four different views on the market. Certain auction barns were reflecting an average week-over-week decline of $3 to $5 but feature strings of cattle were back up to historical high prices. Early sales in the season are like tryouts at a […] Read more
Drought creates speed bump for cattle herd expansion
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Expansion efforts in Canada’s cattle sector are likely taking a breather right now, as a lack of rain in Alberta and Saskatchewan creates challenges for ranchers trying to feed their animals. According to Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Inc. at Taber, Alta., some cattle in the western Prairies are already being moved […] Read more
Klassen: Lower grain production weighing on feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a mixed tone over the past week, with auction markets reporting prices $3 lower to $3 higher in comparison to seven days earlier. The Prairie region continues to experience above-average temperatures causing significant deterioration to pasture and crops in Alberta and western Saskatchewan. Certain auction markets experienced slightly larger […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market experiences softer tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a soft tone this past week on very light volumes. It’s that time of year where producers market the “stragglers,” or late bloomers, that were not up to standard earlier in spring. Therefore, the market was difficult to define but the overall sentiment felt malleable with various-quality cattle on […] Read more
Klassen: Drier conditions soften feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta and Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices were $2 to $5 lower on average last week due to rising barley prices and deteriorating pasture conditions. All weight categories were under pressure, with sharper slippage on shorter-keep replacements. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $202 to $204, but rising feed grain prices caused […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market dealing with limited precipitation
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3 to $5 higher on average over the past week. Wholesale beef prices have come off their highs and appear to be weakening in line with the seasonal tendency. However, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $201-$203, basically in line with the market seven days […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
