Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $2 lower to $3 higher per hundredweight (cwt) last week, with many factors influencing the market. In central Alberta, Simmental steers weighing 429 pounds sold for $191/cwt; Charolais-cross steers averaging 684 pounds sold for $151/cwt in the same region. Mixed exotic cross steers weighing 850 pounds traded at […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker feedgrains support feeder cattle
Klassen: Feeder cattle edge higher
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher during the first week of 2012. There is a market tendency for feeder prices to jump after the holiday season and this year was no exception. Small, non-feature groups of feeder cattle were noted at most auction barns, which made buyers […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger feeder prices expected
The last week of 2011 was quiet with most auction barns closed for the holiday season. Feeding conditions remain favourable and margins look positive through January, which should provide a healthy environment moving forward. The industry is expecting stronger feeder prices over the next month as fed cattle have a tendency to percolate higher through […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder prices finish year on solid demand
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) lower in comparison to week-ago levels. Many feedlots are running on skeleton crews through Christmas and New Year’s and they don’t want to be processing large numbers at this time. Auction market numbers were lower and the market was characterized by non-feature small […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder prices stay firm late in the year
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as mild temperatures and limited precipitation provided optimal conditions for feedlot placements. Despite the softer tone for fed cattle, buying interest came forward from larger feedlot operators and the smaller farmer feedlot backgrounder. Run-of-the-mill black Angus-cross age-verified steer calves weighing 520 pounds sold for $164 […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices hold value
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels. Auction market volumes remain quite high for this time of year; however, buying interest has subsided, with many feedlot operators comfortable with current numbers on feed heading into the New Year. Colder temperatures also set a negative tone as buyers factor in a slightly higher […] Read more
Klassen: Positive economic data supports feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week. Stronger buying interest was attributed to positive feeding margins, year-end buying and positive economic data. Run-of-the-mill mixed steer calves in central Alberta averaging 524 pounds brought back $167/cwt. Red Angus-Simmental cross steers with Ralgro implants averaging just over 600 lbs. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle outlook remains positive
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) lower on average last week. Run-of-the-mill red and black large-framed heifers averaging 638 pounds with no special qualities sold for $138/cwt landed in southern Alberta. Red and black Angus steers averaging 600 lbs. sold for $147/cwt in central Alberta. Simmental-red Angus fancy large-framed steer calves […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices remain volatile
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continue to trade in a mixed volatile pattern. A Pfizer Gold age-verified group of Charolais-cross steers averaging 520 pounds sold for $162 per hundredweight in central Alberta. Run-of-the-mill Simmental-cross steers averaging 510 lbs. sold for $151/cwt in the same region. The market is starting to reflect sharper discounts for lower-quality […] Read more
Klassen: Mixed volatile prices characterize feeder market
Feeder cattle prices across Western Canada were $2 lower to $3 higher last week depending on the location of the sale. Feeder cattle prices are running 20 per cent above year-ago levels and available financing is limiting the buying power. Despite the equity buildup over the past year, many feedlot operators and custom feeders are […] Read more