For the week ending March 28, Western Canadian feeder cattle market once again traded $10/cwt higher to $10/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. Backgrounded replacements were down $3-$6/cwt on average with fleshier groups dropping as much as $6-$10/cwt. Calves were quite variable across the Prairies due to limited numbers. There was strong demand for […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market continues consolidation
Klassen: Stronger barley prices weigh on feeder cattle values
For the week ending March 21, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt higher to $10/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. Backgrounded replacements were quite variable with sharper discounts noted on fleshier groups. The heifer discount to steers appeared to be wider in some cases but it was largely based on quality features. Calves […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed markets add fear to feeder prices
For the week ending March 14, Western Canadian yearlings and backgrounded cattle traded $10 to $15 lower on average compared to seven days earlier. Calves were unchanged to $10/cwt lower on average. Weakness in the nearby and deferred live cattle prices along with strength in the barley market resulted in a negative tone for the […] Read more
Klassen: Western Canadian feeder market incorporates risk discount
For the week ending March 7, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5-$10/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. The market held value on Monday and Tuesday but then softened in the latter part of the week. Strength in the feed grains complex along with weaker deferred live cattle futures set a negative tone. Feedlot […] Read more
Klassen: Strong demand underpins Western Canadian feeder market
For the week ending February 28, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from seven days earlier. Calves may have traded $5-$10/cwt higher at some locations. Feeding margins have improved over the past week with Southern Alberta pen-closeouts now hovering near breakeven. Ontario feedlot margins are in positive territory by $20-$40/head. At the Ponoka video […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market remains firm
For the week ending February 21, Western Canadian markets for yearlings or backgrounded cattle traded steady to $10/cwt higher. The calf market was mixed with values quoted $5 higher to $10/cwt lower. Feedlot margins appear to be improving in the short-term which supported the yearling market. Extremely cold temperatures across most of Alberta may have […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market eyes fed cattle for direction
For the week ending February 14, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. The deferred live cattle futures have been consolidating in a narrow range over the past month, which has limited the upside in the feeder complex. Supplies of yearlings or replacements over 800 pounds are increasing as […] Read more
Klassen: Calf markets continue to climb
For the week ending February 7, Western Canadian feeder markets traded $10 higher to $10 lower compared to seven days earlier. The cash market was extremely volatile as the sell-off in the feeder cattle futures on Thursday, February 5, installed cautious tone amongst buyers late in the week. Fleshier cattle in smaller packages were discounted […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder Cattle Market Waits For Direction
For the week ending January 31, Western Canadian feeder markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Adverse weather in southern Alberta may have tempered buying interest for lighter weight calves. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $508-$510 per hundredweight delivered, steady to $2/cwt higher than last […] Read more
Klassen: Western Canadian calf prices ratchet higher
For the week ending January 24, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt lower to $10/cwt higher compared to seven days earlier. The market was quite variable depending on flesh conditions and genetic quality. Prices for backgrounded yearlings or fall placed calves were steady to $5 higher on larger packages on controlled weight gain diets; […] Read more