Jerry Klassen

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady last week with week-ago levels, with grass cattle trading $2-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) higher. The market in general is experiencing lower volumes with steady demand. Despite the weaker economic situation, fed cattle prices appear to be stabilizing, with the deferred live cattle futures factoring in lower production for […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight higher last week. The weaker Canadian dollar, along with steady feedlot demand set a firmer tone. Favourable rains over the past couple weeks have also enhanced demand for grass cattle. Feedlots are moving a large amount of fed cattle at this time of year; […] Read more

Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady with week-ago levels. A stronger fed cattle market along and higher live cattle futures in the deferred months set a positive tone for lighter-weight feeders. Heavier replacement cattle were under pressure as current feeding margins continue to struggle in red ink. Comments from the industry were that […] Read more

The feeder cattle market showed a mixed tone this past week. Replacement cattle over 750 pounds were $2 per hundredweight (cwt) lower to $2 higher, but lighter feeders were $2-$4/cwt higher. Feedlots realize that available feeder cattle supplies will decrease over the next couple months. However, with feeding margins deteriorating, it is difficult to increase […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices appear to have stabilized for the time being. Auction market volumes are declining in line with the seasonal tendency and demand is sufficient to sustain the current price structure. Fed cattle prices were down as much as $3 per hundredweight (cwt), which continues to weigh on the feeder complex. Alberta […] Read more

Feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 lower in comparison to a week earlier. A mixed group of age-verified steers weighing 581 pounds sold for $166 per hundredweight in east central Alberta. Charolais-cross medium-flesh age-verified steers weighing 680 lbs. traded for $160 in the Picture Butte area. A larger group of heavy-flesh black and red […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices appear to have stabilized for the time being. Auction market volumes have declined, with the small-farmer cattle feeder preparing for spring seeding. The market will likely consolidate over the next month as warmer temperatures materialize. Demand for grass cattle improved last week but with barley prices jumping another $5 per […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight lower last week. Alberta feedlots are backlogged with market-ready supplies and this has slowed purchases of replacement cattle. Carcass weights are 30 pounds heavier compared to April of 2011, and there appears to be a two-week back-up of packer purchases. Backgrounding operations are holding […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were down $3-$5 per hundredweight on average last week; feedlot buying interest dropped off sharply for replacement cattle as the fed market dipped to $110/cwt, which was down $4-$6/cwt from prices earlier in April. Comments from the industry suggest that packers experienced one of the worst weeks in history with […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $1-$3 per hundredweight lower last week due to softer fed cattle prices and stronger barley values. Feedlot buying interest has eased, with higher break-even costs in the deferred months. Lacklustre demand was noted for grass cattle despite an improvement in pasture conditions across most of the Prairies. Feeder steers […] Read more