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Klassen: Tighter supplies underpin western Canadian feeder market

Weather conditions may sway buying interest

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged to $4 higher. Heavier calves notched a week-over-week gain of $2-$4. Mid-weight and lighter calves traded steady to $5 lower in Alberta but $4-$5 on either side of unchanged in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Yearling numbers were limited and buyers paid up for quality packages while […] Read more

Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Tight logistics underpinning Prairie feed market

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm – Canada’s barley crop may have improved considerably in 2022 compared to 2021’s drought-stricken crop, but the logistics of getting that grain to Alberta’s feedlot alley are keeping prices well supported. Canada grew 9.4 million tonnes of barley during the 2022 growing season, which was up by 35 per cent from the previous year. […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef

Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences weather volatility 

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices traded $3 to $4 on either side of side of unchanged while calves traded $5 lower to as much as $6 higher. The calf market tends to experience a seasonal bounce every November. In certain cases, buyers appeared to step forward more aggressively last week in anticipation […] Read more

Corn west of Mitchell, Man. on Oct. 17, 2018. (Dave Bedard photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports pressure grain prices in Lethbridge

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — With harvesting operations winding down, high-delivered bids for feed barley and wheat in Alberta are higher compared to the same time last month and last year. However, there is still some volatility in feed grain prices, according to one Lethbridge-based trader. “I think most (of the increase) was (due to) demand, but as […] Read more


File photo of cattle on feed near Champion, Alta., about 75 km north of Lethbridge. (James_Gabbert/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Uncertain fed cattle market weighs on feeder cattle

U.S. feeder demand seen relatively sluggish

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings (900 lbs. and over) appeared to trade $6-$8 lower on average; yearlings weighing 800-900 lbs. off grass were unchanged. Backgrounded yearlings were also $6-$8 lower. Mid-weight calves were unchanged but calves under 600 lbs. were $3 to as much as $10 lower in some cases. Feedlot operators pulled […] Read more

(File photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Freight costs could determine grain availability

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — There are very good prices for feed barley and wheat in Alberta, according to Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton — but two factors could limit their availability. Leclerc said there is good demand for feed wheat in the province, “but prices are slightly up because we’re not seeing a lot […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Stronger barley prices limit upside for feeder cattle complex

Feedlot operators make barley purchases, price feeder cattle accordingly

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 higher to as much as $5 lower. A softer tone was noted on yearlings in the eastern Prairie regions. Calf prices were steady to $4 lower on average compared to seven days earlier. Quality yearling packages fresh off grass held value but backgrounded heavier replacements […] Read more

Barley. (Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley values steady, wheat rises

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — As the harvest across most of the Prairies begins to wind down, price movement for feed barley has remained fairly stable, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader for Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “October is getting covered is what’s happening. There’s not too much room left for October,” Harakal said, noting the midway […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Demand fears cause feeder cattle market volatility

Barley values continue upward

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 higher to as much as $6 lower. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions while the market was softer in Alberta. Western Canadian calves were extremely volatile, trading $5 higher to as much as $10 lower in some cases. It’s not uncommon for markets […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie barley market still strong

Availability of trucks remains an issue

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — The feed barley market remains strong despite the influx of freshly harvested supplies, with little competition from other feed sources. “The markets have been coming up steadily, with what feels like no harvest pressure,” said Suzanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. “People were hoping the market would get lower and […] Read more