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 closes year on soft tone
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
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures dip as Brazilian beef tariffs lifted
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were weaker on Friday, pressured by the removal of United States tariffs on Brazilian beef announced Thursday. The 40-per cent tariffs were removed by the White House to bring down beef prices and should result in Brazilian beef moving into the U.S. once again. Talk that the U.S. […] Read more
Klassen: Beef demand uncertainty weighs on feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending November 15, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $8-$10/cwt below values from seven days earlier. The cash market held value early in the week as the feeder cattle futures experienced a fortuitous bounce. However, weaker feedlot margins and longer term uncertainty regarding beef demand resulted in a softer tone in the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures end lower
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were weaker on Wednesday, as a lack of fresh news had some participants moving to the sidelines. The December live cattle contract lost 1.925 cents per pound at 225.275 cents. Feeder cattle were down 1.675 cents in the January contract at 327.475 cents per pound. The U.S. Department […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed market weighs on feeder cattle prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending November 8, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10-$20/cwt below values from seven days earlier. Some packages weighing from 600 to 850 pounds were down as much as $30 from week-ago levels. The April live cattle futures fell $10/cwt over the course of the week while Alberta barley prices gained $5-$8/cwt. […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
