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: Feedlot margins will determine feeder prices
Klassen: Feeder market closes year on soft tone
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
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
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
Klassen: Feeder market has volatile week
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
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
Klassen: Beef demand uncertainty weighs on feeder market
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
Klassen: Weaker fed market weighs on feeder cattle prices
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
Klassen: Feeder market drops sharply
For the week ending November 1, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $15-$30/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. Cash feeder markets were off by $30-$40/cwt early in the week but then marginally recovered on Wednesday as the feeder cattle futures market stabilized. There were a few exceptions. Higher quality yearlings over 800 pounds coming […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market softens on weaker demand
For the week ending October 25, Western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $10/cwt below prices from the previous week. Calves in the range of 550 pounds to 850 pounds were down $8 to $12 on average while feeders under 550 pounds were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. U.S. government comments regarding the […] Read more
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