Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending January 17, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5/cwt lower to $10/cwt higher compared to the week ending January 10. The market was quite variable across the Prairies with weather conditions influencing the price structure. Overall, there was very strong demand with Ontario and Southern Alberta feedlots aggressively working to secure […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market near historical highs
Klassen: Feeder cattle market starts 2026 with stronger tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending January 10, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were up $8-$10/cwt on average compared to three weeks earlier. Strength was noted in backgrounded pre-conditioned replacements weighing 700 pounds plus. Quality genetic packages with full processing were up $20/cwt in some cases. The weather was quite variable and feedlots have experienced above normal […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market poised to strengthen
Reading Time: 2 minutes There were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada for the week ending January 3. However, there were some sales in the U.S. and the Canadian markets will follow suit once activity returns to normal. For example, at the Ozarks Regional Stockyards in West Plains, Missouri, weaned and vaccinated steers and heifers over 750 pounds […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot margins will determine feeder prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes There were no Western Canadian feeder cattle sales for week ending December 27. The shortened holiday week is always a time for cattle producers to call in and discuss factors that will influence the feeder market over the next couple months. In the short-term, finishing feedlot margins are the main factor driving the feeder market. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market closes year on soft tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending December 20, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were steady to $10 weaker compared to seven days earlier. For the second week in a row, the price range was quite wide for similar weight cattle. Larger operations were focused on pre-conditioned vaccinated cattle given the adverse weather conditions. The quality of cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market sees wide price range
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending December 13, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10 higher to $10 lower compared to seven days earlier. Overall volumes were lower compared to previous weeks which contributed to the wide price range across the Prairies. Adverse weather and variable quality were also factors influencing the price structure. Major operations more […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes on fed market recovery
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending December 6, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Many cattle feeders on both sides of the border believe that the fed cattle market will trade back up to historical highs in the second quarter of 2026. This positive sentiment along with year-end buying resulted […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle strengthen Tuesday
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were stronger on Tuesday, with cold temperatures hitting the northern U.S. Plains and Corn Belt lending some support to the futures. The February live cattle contract gained 4.875 cents per pound at 220.005 cents. Feeder cattle were up 8.800 cents in the January contract at 329.875 cents per […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market has volatile week
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending November 29, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt higher to 10/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. Markets were hard to define given the volatility and emotional behavior. Certain larger operations were extremely aggressive securing ownership across Western Canada while Ontario demand was more prevalent late in the week. Alberta […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlots scale down cattle purchases
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending November 22, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $10/cwt lower on average. Earlier in the week, the heavier weight categories came under pressure while cattle under 700 pounds held value. However, by Friday, all weight ranges exhibited a softer tone. Feedlots are coming to the realization that the fed […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
